National Transportation Safety Board

“There was no evidence that such approval had been granted for the accident airplane,”

National Transportation Safety Board · said 2025-07-22 · reported 2025-07-23

The NTSB report noted that the plane lacked formal FAA authorization to carry antlers mounted externally.

“Given the remote location of the accident site, which was about 400 miles from a hospital, and accessible only by air, providing the pilot with prompt medical treatment following the accident was not possible,”

National Transportation Safety Board · said 2025-07-22 · reported 2025-07-23

The NTSB report explained why prompt medical care could not be provided at the remote accident site.

“along with the overweight airplane and the added drag and lateral weight imbalance caused by the antlers on the right wing, would likely have resulted in the airplane having insufficient power and/or control authority to maneuver above terrain,”

National Transportation Safety Board · said 2025-07-22 · reported 2025-07-23

The NTSB's final report detailed the contributing factors that led to the fatal crash of Eugene Peltola Jr.'s aircraft.