A mid-air collision in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday involved one plane piloted by a state lawmaker and another with six aboard operated by an air charter service, officials said. The wreck’s orange paint and the ANNETTE serial pointed to the fact that it was a Coast Guard plane, stationed at the Annette Island airfield in southeastern Alaska. “Troopers and partner agencies have worked together diligently at the scene and have reached out to next of kin to notify them of this heartbreaking incident.”. “Throughout his 42 years on the Kenai Peninsula, Gary became well known as an avid outdoorsman, a skilled pilot, and a dedicated public servant,” the governor said. The NTSB is investigating Friday's crash in Soldotna, AK involving a Piper PA-12 and a de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver. Mr. Johnson said weather conditions were very good, with 10-mile visibility. "Troopers and partner agencies have worked together diligently at the scene and have reached out to next of kin to notify them of this heartbreaking incident.". All but one person was pronounced dead on scene, however that person died on the way to a local hospital. The National Transportation Safety Board tweeted that it is investigating the crash "involving a Piper PA-12 and a de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver.". Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion, via Associated Press. The DPS sends a heartfelt condolence to all who lost a loved one in this mid-air collision," Commissioner Amanda Price of the Department of Public Safety said in a statement. Troopers found the majority of the wreckage about two hundred yards from the road. His colleagues confirmed his death, saying they were heartbroken at the news. The crash occurred near an airport in Soldotna, leaving no survivors Alaska State Troopers said in a statement. In addition to Mr. Knopp, 67, of Kenai, Alaska, the state Department of Public Safety identified the others killed as: Gregory Bell, 67, of Soldotna, who was the pilot; David Rogers, 40, of Kansas, who was a guide; Caleb Hulsey, 26; Heather Hulsey, 25; Mackay Hulsey, 24; and Kirstin Wright, 23, all of South Carolina. safety inspectors were at the crash site, which was near Sterling Highway. The top of the company’s website reads: “JUST SO YOU KNOW! He described the weather on Friday morning as bright and sunny, with no wind or fog. All six died at the scene, except for one who died while being taken to a hospital, troopers said. Gov. All of those were confirmed dead at the scene except for one person who succumbed to injuries while being transported to a hospital, the department said. Gary Knopp, 67, a Republican member of the Alaska House of Representatives, was operating one of the planes that crashed and was the sole occupant, according to a press release from the Alaska Department of Public Safety. Exit poll shows Biden gains in key groups, but with results awaiting the vote count, Democrats maintain majority in the House of Representatives, US officially withdraws from Paris Agreement that aims to combat climate change, Hurricane Eta makes landfall as Category 4 storm. Little information was known about the other victims, though five were from out of state. Gary Knopp, a Republican member of the State House of Representatives, was among those killed. Updated 1326 GMT (2126 HKT) August 1, 2020. Authorities did not identify which person that was. (CNN)Two small planes collided in the air in Alaska on Friday, killing all seven people on both aircraft, including a state representative from the area, state troopers said. He was elected to represent House District 30 in 2016. Mr. Knopp had taken off from the airport and the pontoon-equipped plane, operated by High Adventure Air Charter, had left Longmere Lake, Mr. Johnson said. Pilots use a common radio frequency in the area to convey their intentions and that will be one of the elements investigators explore, he said. “His presence will no doubt be missed by those he faithfully served.”. One plane was piloted by Rep. Gary Knopp, 67, of Kenai, troopers said. Gary Knopp, 67, a Republican member of the Alaska House of Representatives, was operating one of the planes that crashed and was the sole occupant, according to a press release from the Alaska Department of Public Safety. Seven people were killed, including a member of the Alaska State Legislature, after two planes collided in midair on Friday morning in the Alaskan city of Soldotna, the authorities said. Mr. Knopp was born in Whitefish, Mont., and moved to Alaska in 1979, according to his biography. Gov. Alaska State Troopers say state Rep. Gary Knopp was the sole occupant of one plane. Gary Knopp was elected an Alaska state representative in 2016. “This is an unfathomable tragedy for multiple families today,” the department commissioner, Amanda Price, said. "Gary was a one-of-a-kind leader and a true Alaskan who worked tirelessly for his district in the Legislature. The crash occurred about 8:30 a.m. local time in Soldotna, about 150 miles south of Anchorage. "This is an unfathomable tragedy for multiple families today. He will be missed by many.". Alaska State Troopers received a report around 8:27 a.m. local time of a plane crash near Sterling Highway, on the Kenai Peninsula, a borough of Southcentral Alaska, authorities said. His colleagues confirmed his death, saying they were heartbroken at the news. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. The victims in the other plane were its pilot, a guide, and four people in their 20s from South Carolina. Alaska midair plane crash leaves 4 dead, 2 missing - YouTube Mike Dunleavy ordered the United States and Alaska state flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Mr. Knopp for three days. Two F.A.A. In 2013, nine Greenville residents died in a single-plane crash in Soldotna, Alaska, The State reported. Rep. Steve Thompson called Knopp "one of the nicest guys I've ever met. Seven people, including a member of the Alaska State Legislature, were killed after two planes crashed in the sky on the Kenai Peninsula on Friday, officials said. Kevin Carpenter, the owner of Sundog Serigraphics-Screenprinting, said debris from the collision, including a wheel cover and small pieces of plexiglass, was found in the parking lot of his business. "His presence will no doubt be missed by those he faithfully served. … He will be truly missed.". Of the collision he said, “For the life of me, I can’t figure it out.”, 7 Killed as Two Planes Crash in Alaska, Officials Say. The two planes collided about 150 miles south of Anchorage. Then Rep.-elect Gary Knopp sits in his office at the Alaska Capitol in Juneau, Jan. 16, 2017. Remember… ‘God is in Control.’ In these difficult times we want you to know our prayers are going out to each person struggling around the world.”. He worked as a general contractor, and was elected in 2006 to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly, a position he held until 2012. Investigators determined that two planes had crashed midair, according to authorities. (CNN) Two small planes collided in the air in Alaska on Friday, killing all seven people on both aircraft, including a state representative from the area, state troopers said. The Alaska House Majority says Knopp was killed in the mid-air collision of two planes near Soldotna on July 31, 2020. The First Lady and I wish to express our heartfelt condolences to Representative Knopp's family as they mourn his untimely passing. They were the six occupants of the other plane. He was among those killed. Knopp's colleagues offered their condolences to his family, including his wife, Helen. Mike Dunleavy ordered the US and state flags be flown at half-staff for three days. Six people were aboard the other plane, which was designed with pontoons to make water landings, he said. Rogers was from Kansas, while the Hulseys and Wright were from South Carolina, authorities said. The National Transportation Safety Board had been notified and will conduct an investigation into the cause of the crash, which is unknown at this time. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? The company runs flights for bear-watching and glacier tours and to bring passengers on fishing trips. He was piloting one of the planes. A military plane carrying 41 passengers and 11 crew members crashed into a mountain near Anchorage in 1952, but remains of the victims are still being discovered. Mr. Bell is listed as one of the company’s owners on its website. (Senior Airman Jonathan Valdes Montijo/U.S. The area around Soldotna, on the Kenai Peninsula, is speckled with lakes. The majority of the wreckage was located approximately 200 yards from the road. Mr. Knopp was piloting the Piper and was the sole occupant, Clint Johnson, chief of the Alaska regional office of the National Transportation Safety Board, said. TWO planes collided midair on Friday killing seven people including an Alaska lawmaker. A person who answered the phone at High Adventure said the company declined to comment. Anchorage — A team of federal accident investigators is expected to arrive in Alaska Tuesday to try to piece together what caused a deadly midair collision between two sightseeing planes… (1/2). He was the only person on board. 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