Alaska Plane Crash Claims Former Mayor | Anchorage News

A beloved former mayor of Bethel, Alaska, Eric Middlebrook, 68, died when his small plane crashed into shallow water near Seldovia on August 26, 2026, along with three California passengers. Known for his aviation skills and dedication to serving remote Alaskan communities, Middlebrook was a respected figure who flew repair missions across the Kuskokwim River. His sudden loss deeply impacts the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region. The NTSB is investigating the crash amid growing concerns over aviation safety in Alaska, especially after another fatal crash just days earlier.

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