Alaska officials identify 4 men killed in a small plane crash near coastal town

Alaska officials have identified the four men who tragically lost their lives in a small plane crash near the coastal town of Seldovia. The pilot, Eric Middlebrook, aged 68, was from Anchorage. The three passengers were Ronald Schmidt, 65, Lance Schmidt, 20, and Daniel Simons, 82. All four were originally from California. The aircraft involved was a Piper PA-24, which was en route to Seldovia's airport after departing from Anchorage when it crashed.

The plane came to rest in approximately 15 feet of water in the Seldovia Slough, a body of water near the coast. Due to the low tide, troopers had to wait before they could access the crash site. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating the cause of the crash. Senator Dan Sullivan, representing Alaska, expressed his condolences and emphasized the importance of aviation safety and infrastructure in the state.