Alaska Plane Crash in Seldovia: Four Men Extricated from Water, Cause Remains Unknown
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Less than a week earlier, another plane crashed at a remote military site in western Alaska, killing all eight people aboard. The aircraft had been making its second approach to the runway in heavy fog and its pilots could not see the gravel airstrip, authorities said.
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Associated PressLess than a week earlier, another plane crashed at a remote military site in western Alaska, killing all eight people aboard. The aircraft had been making its second approach to the runway in heavy fog and its pilots could not see the gravel airstrip, authorities said.
The Guardian USLess than a week earlier, another plane crashed at a remote military site in western Alaska, killing all eight people on board. The aircraft had been making its second runway approach in heavy fog and its pilots could not see the gravel airstrip, authorities said.
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The Piper PA-24 was headed Wednesday for the airport in the small town of Seldovia after taking off from Anchorage when it crashed. Seldovia’s airport is about 135 miles (220 kilometers) southwest of Anchorage.
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Associated PressThe Piper PA-24 was bound Wednesday for the airport in the small town of Seldovia after taking off from Anchorage when it crashed. Seldovia’s airport is about 135 miles (220 kilometers) southwest of Anchorage.
The Guardian USThe Piper PA-24 was headed for the airport in the small town of Seldovia after taking off from Anchorage, according to a statement from the Alaska Department of Public Safety. Seldovia’s airport is about 136 miles (219 km) south-west of Anchorage.
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After the crash, the plane came to rest in about 15 feet (4.6 meters) of water in the Seldovia Slough near the shore, said Clint Johnson, the Alaska region chief of the National Transportation Safety Board. Troopers had to wait for the tide to go out before they could reach it.
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Associated PressAfter the crash, the plane came to rest in about 15 feet (4.6 meters) of water in the Seldovia Slough near the shore, said Clint Johnson, the Alaska region chief of the National Transportation Safety Board. Troopers had to wait for the tide to go out before they could reach the plane and remove the victims.
The Guardian USAfter it crashed, it was submerged in about 15ft (4.6 meters) of water in the Seldovia Slough near the shore, said Clint Johnson, the National Transportation Safety Board’s Alaska region chief. Troopers had to wait until the tide went out in order to reach it.
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Troopers were able to extricate the bodies of the four men from the plane. It was not immediately clear what caused the crash.
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The Guardian USTroopers were able to get the bodies of the four adults out of the plane. They’re being sent to the medical examiner’s office and their names will not be released until next of kin are notified, according to the Department of Public Safety.
4 details only one outlet reported
Independent claims that didn't surface elsewhere in our corpus. Treat as supplementary — not corroborated across outlets.
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01 New York Post A New Jersey-bound United Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Nevada Thursday after reports of an engine issue.
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02 Washington Times Alaska Department of Public Safety on Thursday identified the pilot as Eric Middlebrook, 68 of Anchorage. It identified the passengers as Ronald Schmidt, 65, Lance Schmidt, 20 and Daniel Simons, 82, and said in its statement that all three were from California.
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03 Associated Press Alaska Department of Public Safety on Thursday identified the pilot as Eric Middlebrook, 68, of Anchorage. It identified the passengers as Ronald Schmidt, 65, Lance Schmidt, 20, and Daniel Simons, 82, and said in its statement that all three were from California.
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04 ABC News The pilot of a banner plane was rescued by a lifeguard after crashing into the surf near New Smyrna Beach. August 27, 2026
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Sources (5)
- abc
- nypost
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- guardian
- washtimes