SELDOVIA, Alaska (KTUU) – The four people killed in a plane crash into the Seldovia Slough Wednesday have been identified by the Alaska State Troopers.
The pilot has been identified as 68-year-old Eric Middlebrook of Alaska. The other three victims have been identified as Ronald Schmidt, 65, Lance Schmidt, 20, and Daniel Simons, 82. All three were from California, Troopers report.
A preliminary investigation determined a Piper PA-24 bound for Seldovia from Merrill Field Airport crashed into the water near Seldovia and was submerged Wednesday. Troopers were notified of the crash at 1:18 p.m. Wednesday.
Around 6:30 p.m., after the tide had lowered, Troopers were able to extract the four victims’ bodies from inside the plane. The bodies are being sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy.
The victims’ next of kin have been notified. The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash.
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