NTSB Reveals Moose Cargo Caused Alaska Plane Crash Killing Lawmaker’s Husband

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has concluded that a plane crash in Alaska, which killed Eugene Peltola Jr., husband of Representative Mary Peltola, was caused by the plane being overloaded with moose meat and the attachment of moose antlers to the right wing. The Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub was approximately 117 pounds over its maximum takeoff weight, and the antlers created aerodynamic drag, both factors that degraded the plane's performance and led to a loss of control during takeoff amid mechanical turbulence and downdrafts. Eugene Peltola had transported one load of meat without incident but did not weigh the cargo on the fatal second trip, and the antlers were mounted without formal FAA approval. The NTSB described the crash as a “perfect storm” of contributing factors, noting that if any one factor had been absent, the accident might have been avoided. Following the crash, Mary Peltola filed a negligence lawsuit against her late husband's employer, alleging unsafe working conditions including excessive hours and inadequate rest. The investigation highlights the risks of overloading small aircraft and the importance of proper weight and equipment approvals in aviation safety.