24-07-2025
Plane was overweight with moose meat, antlers before fatal crash in Alaska, NTSB says
An Alaska plane crash that killed the husband of former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola (D-AK) was likely caused by excess moose meat weight and antlers on board, according to a report from the National Transportation Safety Board.
Eugene "Buzzy" Peltola Jr. was flying a plane in a remote wilderness area in St. Mary's, Alaska, during a hunting trip on Sept. 12, 2023, when it crashed. He died from blunt force injuries a few hours after the accident, according to the NTSB.
NTSB's final report about the crash, which was released July 22, said the plane was "heavily loaded" with moose meat, and antlers were mounted to its right wing without proper authorization.
As a result, the plane was overloaded by more than 100 pounds, and the antlers interfered with takeoff, likely causing the crash, according to the NTSB.
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Plane was carrying second load of moose meat when it crashed
Peltola was transporting moose meat in two separate loads to an operating base after a hunting trip. After Peltola successfully completed a trip to transport the first load, the hunters loaded the plane, a Piper PA, more heavily with meat for the second trip, NTSB said in the report.
In addition to carrying about 520 pounds of moose meat, the plane was also transporting antlers attached to the right wing during that trip. In total, the plane's weight was 117 pounds over the maximum allowed, according to the NTSB.
While carrying antlers externally is a common practice in Alaska, it requires special approval from the Federal Aviation Administration, which the plane did not have, according to the NTSB.
During takeoff, the plane became airborne before crashing moments later. Peltola survived the initial impact but died less than two hours later, the report said.
According to the NTSB's report, the probable cause of the crash was a combination of the airplane carrying more than its maximum approved weight as well as the external load of antlers, which likely degraded the plane's performance during takeoff.
Pilot who died in plane crash was husband of former Alaska congresswoman
Eugene Peltola Jr. previously served as regional director for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Alaska before his death. He had his pilot's license since 1993, according to the NTSB.
He was also married to former Rep. Mary Peltola, who served in Congress from 2022 until her reelection loss last year.
Rep. Peltola's office said in a statement at the time of her husband's death that they were "heartbroken for the family's loss."
"He was one of those people that was obnoxiously good at everything. He had a delightful sense of humor that lightened the darkest moments," the statement said.
Former President Joe Biden also issued a statement following Peltola's death, calling him "a devoted public servant" and "friend to all."
"Spend even a minute with Mary and you'll feel the love she has for her state and its people, and most of all, the love she has for her husband and their seven children," the statement said.
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at
