Update, 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 27: Alaska State Troopers released the names of the crash victims.

By Delcenia Cosman

Homer Independent Press

Alaska State Troopers pulled four bodies from a small plane that crashed in the Seldovia Slough Wednesday. Killed in the crash were the pilot, Eric Middlebrook, 68 , of Anchorage; Ronald Schmidt, 65, of California; Lance Schmidt, 20, of California, and Daniel Simons, 82, of California. Next of kin have been notified.

Troopers said a Piper PA-24 flying from Merrill Field Airport in Anchorage to Seldovia crashed in the slough and sank in 13 to 17 feet of water, according to a dispatch released Wednesday evening. 

Troopers recovered the bodies of four dead adults from the wreckage by 6:30 p.m., after the tide level dropped. The bodies will be sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy.

The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the cause of the crash. 

Troopers were notified of the crash at 1:18 p.m., according to the dispatch. State and wildlife troopers from Anchor Point responded in the P/V Augustine; the Department of Public Safety also sent a helicopter from Anchorage. 

Local fishing guide Clay Duda said between 1:30-1:45 p.m., he heard the U.S. Coast Guard broadcast that the plane crashed near the Seldovia Slough Bridge with people inside. Crew on the F/V Labrador reported they discovered the plane’s location shortly after, according to Ashley Keithley, co-owner of Seldovia Fishing Adventures alongside her husband, Chris, who responded on the Labrador.

HIP could not immediately reach the Seldovia Harbor, emergency responders or administration for further information.

Updates will be provided as further information becomes available.