The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued its findings regarding the tragic accident involving a Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub that occurred in the Alaskan mountains on September 12, 2023.
This incident resulted in the death of Eugene Petola Junior, affectionately known as ‘Buzzy’, the husband of United States Republican Mary Petola.
The aircraft was reportedly overloaded with moose meat and antlers, which contributed to the crash.
Buzzy, a seasoned pilot aged 57, was operating the plane while transporting moose carcasses hunted by a group of enthusiasts camping in the remote wilderness.
Instead of weighing the load, Buzzy decided to forgo using scales prior to loading the moose meat and antlers, which resulted in exceeding the aircraft’s maximum take-off weight by 117 pounds (53 kilograms).
According to the final report, the Piper Super Cub was carrying a total of 500 pounds of moose meat, which included various cuts such as 110 pounds of leg, 150 pounds of hindquarters, 50 pounds of ribs, and 70 pounds of antlers.
The report also indicated that the antlers were secured to the plane’s right wing, a common practice in Alaska that requires specific Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval, which was not obtained for this flight.
The combination of the plane being overweight and the weight imbalance from the antlers is believed to have diminished the aircraft’s capability to maneuver effectively in the mountainous terrain.
Travis Hopkins, a witness and hunter present at the site, recounted his experience shortly after takeoff.
He heard the plane sputtering before it fell silent.
After climbing a nearby hill, he discovered the wreckage and found Buzzy still in the cockpit, albeit with serious facial injuries.
Using satellite communication at approximately 20:48, Hopkins reached out for help.
Rescue efforts were initiated by the Alaska Air National Guard, who arrived by helicopter between 01:30 and 02:00 a.m.
Despite the attempt to transport Buzzy to the nearest hospital in Anchorage, located 400 miles (643 kilometers) away, the pilot’s condition worsened over the next two hours.
Unfortunately, Buzzy became unresponsive, and rescue personnel could not detect a pulse, leading to him being pronounced deceased at the scene.
The NTSB identified multiple blunt force trauma injuries as the cause of death, categorizing the incident as an accident.
The Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub is a well-respected aircraft, having been in production for over four decades with more than 10,000 units built since its development from the PA-11 Cub Special.
This model showcases a 150-horsepower engine, integrating a high-lift wing design popular for various aviation purposes, such as agricultural spraying and bush flying.
The aircraft’s configuration allows for easy modifications including extended luggage compartments and can accommodate additional fuel pods and lumber racks, making it suited for remote landings.
Equipped with bush wheels, it is optimized to handle rough terrains and is favored by pilots flying in Alaska’s rugged environments.
As the investigation unfolds, this tragic accident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to weight limitations and ensuring safety practices are stringently followed in aviation.
image source from：simpleflying
