A small Piper PA-24-260 crashed into shallow water near Seldovia, Alaska, on Wednesday, killing all four people aboard. The aircraft had departed Merrill Field Airport in Anchorage and was bound for Seldovia when it went down at about 1:18 p.m. The plane was submerged in approximately 15 feet of water in Seldovia Slough. Authorities recovered the four adult victims after the tide receded, while the cause of the crash remains unknown.
A helicopter crew from Anchorage and law enforcement teams responding by boat were sent to the site. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board are examining the circumstances of the accident. The victims’ names will be released after their families have been notified.
| 1) | Crash reported near Seldovia |
| 2) | Flight path and aircraft details |
| 3) | Recovery delayed by the tide |
| 4) | Investigation and victim identification |
| 5) | Crash follows another deadly Alaska accident |
Crash reported near Seldovia
The aircraft crashed at about 1:18 p.m. on Wednesday in Seldovia Slough, near the coastal community of Seldovia. Alaska State Troopers were notified that a small plane had entered the shallow waters, prompting a coordinated response involving aviation and marine crews. All four people aboard died in the accident. Seldovia is located about 136 miles southwest of Anchorage, and its relatively remote location required responders to travel from outside the immediate area.
Flight path and aircraft details
The plane was a Piper PA-24-260 traveling from Merrill Field Airport in Anchorage toward Seldovia Airport. Officials said the aircraft crashed while heading for the small town’s airport, but they have not identified the specific circumstances that caused it to leave its intended flight path. The aircraft came down near shore and was completely submerged in roughly 15 feet of water. No information has been released about the four occupants beyond their ages as adults.
Recovery delayed by the tide
Emergency operations were complicated by the plane’s position beneath the water in Seldovia Slough. A helicopter crew from Anchorage was dispatched to the crash site, while additional troopers traveled by boat from Anchor Point. The responders could not reach the aircraft immediately because of the water level. After the tide fell at approximately 6:30 p.m., troopers were able to access the plane and recover the bodies of all four victims.
Investigation and victim identification
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash, including what happened during the flight and why the aircraft entered the slough. Clint Johnson, the NTSB’s Alaska region chief, confirmed that the plane was fully submerged in the water. Officials have not announced a suspected cause, and no determination has been made about whether weather, mechanical problems, pilot actions or another factor played a role. The bodies will be transported to the state medical examiner’s office for autopsies. Authorities said the victims’ names will be made public after next of kin are notified.
Crash follows another deadly Alaska accident
The Seldovia crash occurred after another fatal plane accident in Alaska the previous week. That aircraft, a Cessna, crashed at a remote military site in western Alaska, killing all eight people aboard. Officials said the pilots were making a second approach to a gravel runway in heavy fog after regulations required them to abort the first attempt because of poor visibility. The two incidents are separate investigations, and authorities have not indicated that they are connected.
| 1 | A Piper PA-24-260 crashed in Seldovia Slough near Seldovia, Alaska. |
|---|---|
| 2 | All four people aboard the aircraft were killed. |
| 3 | The aircraft had departed Anchorage and was heading for Seldovia. |
| 4 | Responders recovered the bodies after the tide dropped at about 6:30 p.m. |
| 5 | The NTSB is investigating, and the cause has not been determined. |
Summary
Four people died when a Piper PA-24-260 crashed into approximately 15 feet of water near Seldovia, Alaska. The aircraft had flown from Anchorage toward Seldovia before the accident. Recovery efforts were delayed until the tide receded, and investigators are now working to determine what caused the crash.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people died in the crash?
All four people aboard the Piper PA-24-260 were killed.
Where did the aircraft crash?
The aircraft crashed into Seldovia Slough, near the shore of Seldovia, Alaska, and was submerged in about 15 feet of water.
What caused the crash?
Officials have not determined the cause. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident.
When were the victims recovered?
Troopers recovered the four bodies after the tide went out at approximately 6:30 p.m.
