The National Transportation Safety Board has concluded its investigation into the 2023 plane crash that killed Eugene “Buzzy” Peltola Jr., husband of former US Rep. Mary Peltola, placing the blame squarely on pilot error.
According to the NTSB’s final report, Peltola’s decision to fly his overloaded aircraft in dangerous wind conditions with unapproved external cargo was the primary cause of the fatal accident on Sept. 12, 2023. The NTSB cited his choice to exceed the plane’s certified weight limits and to fly with moose antlers improperly lashed to the wing strut as key factors leading to a loss of control.
Peltola was ferrying moose meat and antlers from a remote hunting camp about 80 miles northwest of Holy Cross after a group of hunters harvested a moose. After successfully transporting the first load of meat earlier that day, Peltola returned for a second trip, this time with the plane loaded 117 pounds over its certified maximum takeoff weight. The aircraft was so overloaded that even after burning fuel en route, it would have landed nearly 180 pounds over its maximum landing weight.
The runway, located at the crest of a hill, presented additional challenges. Terrain rapidly dropped away to the north before rising sharply within three-quarters of a mile. At the time of the crash, shifting north winds likely provided initial lift but caused turbulence and downdrafts as the heavily burdened plane turned south over the valley, contributing to the crash just beyond the hunters’ view.
The NTSB ruled out mechanical failure, noting the engine was running at full power during the accident. The plane’s airframe, originally manufactured nearly 70 years prior, had been heavily modified over the years. Despite being equipped with numerous FAA-approved alterations, the true flight performance characteristics were unknown, especially when flown over its weight limit.
The report also documented that while carrying antlers externally is common in Alaska, it requires FAA approval—documentation that was absent for this aircraft. Though Peltola suffered from cardiovascular disease, investigators found no evidence that his health contributed to the accident.
The crash occurred around 8:47 p.m., and despite surviving the impact, Peltola succumbed to his injuries within hours due to the severity of the crash and the remoteness of the site. Air National Guard rescuers arrived several hours later, but the cockpit had sustained catastrophic damage, compromising any chance of survival even with safety restraints.
Just four days earlier, Rep. Mary Peltola filed a wrongful death lawsuit on July 18 in Bethel Superior Court. The lawsuit names guide Bruce Werba and his companies—Alaska Pike Safaris, Wilderness Adventures LLC, and Neitz Aviation—as defendants. Peltola alleges that unsafe working conditions, excessive duty hours, overloading, and improper external cargo contributed to her husband’s death.
Peltola would have been notified by the NTSB last week that the report would be released soon; it is standard procedure for the agency to notify next of kin in advance.
The complaint also claims that Peltola was an employee of the companies and was operating the aircraft under a purchase agreement, having made payments on the plane before his death. The lawsuit alleges the defendants failed to provide workers’ compensation insurance and have withheld funds owed to Peltola’s estate.
With the two-year deadline for filing a wrongful death suit approaching, Rep. Peltola seeks damages of more than $100,000 and has requested a jury trial. As of July 22, no court date has been set. The probate case surrounding Peltola’s estate remains open, complicated by ongoing family disputes and unresolved financial claims.
For those of you that didn’t go to law school I am going to explain this in the simplest legal terms possible.
This was an unfortunate accident. Someone died.
Lawyers must make money from it.
Accurate..
yeah, that pretty much says it.
When I went to buy a $60,000 plane the insurance quote was $4,000 a year and I couldn’t afford it. The insurance is that expensive because we all have to pay to support people like Mary Peltola that abuse the system.
There’s something to be said for consistency. She was a loser in Congress, too.
married three times so far… ya gotta wonder….
Still digging for more campaign money She’s right up there with AOC stupid
Clearly a victim. (Sarc)
It’s easy to see that she’s still emotional about this. I would be. Or maybe the cash has run out and this is her best option as explained by some lawyer who thinks he will cash in, too. If this is tried in Bethel, she’s sure to get the local sympathy jury and, cha-thing!cash in.
I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around this.. Mary Peltola’s husband was the pilot of the aircraft. Petola’s husband loaded the plane himself and because he was a pilot, he understood that bad things happen when planes are loaded past their limits. Peltola’s husband the pilot knew that he had to get a FAA “mother may I” to strap antlers on the outside of the plane and failed to do so. So.. Why is the company at fault…? Naw.. Mary is out money-grubbing. Typical democrat.
Clearly it was the fault of the Moose… It should have never gotten on that plane as big as it was… And since it was an Alaska Moose the liability is on the state… ***
Seems to me that by doing this, Mary Peltola is drawing attention to the fact that her husband was allegedly careless, and/or ignorant, and/or overconfident, and/or incompetent and/or just plain stupid.
so by sueing these folks shes determined that her husbands reputation is only worth what her attorney can bamboozle a jury for.
Nice touch Mary, we always knew you were a real class act!!
The pilot in command has complete control and responsibility for the flight. The suit should be thrown out. Mary is obviously a grifter!