Becky Bohrer.

FILE - Eugene "Buzzy" Peltola Jr. holds the Bible during a ceremonial swearing-in for his wife, Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Sept. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

NTSB: Heavy plane, drag from antlers contributed to crash that killed ex-Rep Mary Peltola’s husband

Federal investigators say a small plane that crashed in 2023, killing the husband of former Alaska U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, was overweight for takeoff and impacted by winds. The National Transportation Safety Board on Tuesday released its final report on the crash that killed Eugene Peltola Jr. It listed among its probable cause findings factors including decisions by Peltola to fly the plane above its maximum takeoff weight and place a set of moose antlers on the right wing strut, along with turbulent flight conditions. He died almost exactly one year after Democrat Mary Peltola was sworn in as Alaska’s only U.S. House member — and first Alaska Native member of Congress. She lost reelection last year.

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A strong earthquake Wednesday off the Alaska coast triggered a tsunami warning. (AP Graphic)

Alaska is the most earthquake-prone state. Here is why Wednesday’s earthquake was notable

Wednesday’s magnitude 7.3 earthquake off Alaska’s Aleutian Islands chain struck in a region that has experienced a handful of powerful quakes within the last five years. Officials say they have received no reports of injuries or major damage from the earthquake, which triggered a tsunami warning and prompted communities along a 700-mile stretch of Alaska’s southern coast to urge people to higher ground. Officials say the area is prone to earthquakes, but the activity in recent years has caught scientists’ attention. Experts say residents should continue to heed tsunami warnings in response to future quakes.

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