Alaska officials have identified the pilot and three passengers who died when a small plane crashed in shallow waters near the coastal town of Seldovia. The pilot was identified as Eric Middlebrook, 68, of Anchorage. The passengers were identified as Ronald Schmidt, 65, Lance Schmidt, 20, and Daniel Simons, 82, all from California.
The Piper PA-24 aircraft was en route to Seldovia’s airport from Anchorage when it crashed. Seldovia is located approximately 135 miles southwest of Anchorage. The plane came to rest in about 15 feet of water in the Seldovia Slough near the shore.
Troopers were able to retrieve the bodies of the four men after waiting for the tide to recede. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, of Alaska, stated he was awaiting a briefing from the NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration as they work to determine the cause of the crash. Sullivan emphasized that aviation safety and infrastructure in Alaska remain a top focus.
This incident follows another plane crash less than a week prior at a remote military site in western Alaska, which resulted in the deaths of all eight individuals on board. Authorities indicated that the aircraft involved in that crash was making its second approach to the runway in heavy fog, hindering visibility for the pilots.