By SUZANNE DOWNING
Aug. 27, 2026 – Former Bethel Mayor Eric Middlebrook was among four people killed Tuesday when a small plane crashed into Seldovia Slough, Alaska State Troopers said.
The deceased were identified Wednesday as:
- Eric Middlebrook, 68, of Anchorage, the pilot
- Ronald Schmidt, 65, of California
- Lance Schmidt, 20, of California
- Daniel Simons, 82, of California
Next of kin have been notified, the Department of Public Safety said.
Middlebrook was piloting a Piper PA-24 from Merrill Field in Anchorage to Seldovia when it crashed into the water shortly after 1 pm Tuesday. The aircraft was completely submerged. Troopers recovered the four bodies after the tide receded Tuesday evening.
Middlebrook, a 1975 graduate of Marysville High School in California, moved to Alaska in 1981 after visiting a friend and becoming drawn to the state’s frontier character and opportunities.
He settled in Bethel, where he owned a commercial refrigeration business. He earned his pilot’s license and purchased an airplane to reach villages throughout the region for work.
Middlebrook was elected to the Bethel City Council in 2006. The council selected him as mayor in January 2008 by a 6–1 vote. Bethel’s mayor is chosen annually from among council members and serves in what Middlebrook described as a largely ceremonial role—a “glorified council member” who presides over meetings, signs documents and represents the city.
He later moved to Anchorage. Ronald Schmidt was Middlebrook’s brother and worked in marketing in California.
The bodies have been sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating what caused the crash.
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