Four killed in small plane crash near Seldovia, Alaska

A small plane crashed into shallow waters near the remote Alaskan town of Seldovia on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, killing all four people on board. The aircraft, identified as a Piper PA-24, went down in the Seldovia Slough while traveling from Anchorage to Seldovia, according to officials from the Alaska Department of Public Safety and the National Transportation Safety Board.

The crash occurred at approximately 1:18 p.m. local time. The plane became submerged in about 15 to 17 feet of water near the shore. Emergency responders, including a helicopter crew from Anchorage and troopers by boat from Anchor Point, were dispatched to the scene. Bystanders at the location attempted to reach the aircraft to rescue anyone trapped inside but were unable to access the wreckage, according to Clint Johnson, the NTSB's Alaska region chief.

Due to the water depth and conditions, troopers had to wait for the tide to recede. At around 6:30 p.m., the water level dropped sufficiently, allowing responders to recover the bodies of the four adult victims from the submerged plane. The victims' identities have not been released pending notification of next of kin. The remains will be sent to the...