alaska plane crash mary peltola eugene.

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.