So I just encountered the same Loading error issue. Thought maybe it was due to cracked copy protection so I tried true 1987 vanilla but same error occurs.
Cause is too complex for me to try and explain but at least the solution is easy. Download the fix from here (by ripsaw8080, who else):
https://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?p=142211#p142211
and run ELFIX.COM before ELITE.COM. This will enable loading the commander save.
Catalogue listing still wont work however. The price of advancing our technology too far
