The highway was temporarily closed “due to safety concerns.”Troopers say all occupants of the two planes were reported deceased on the scene with the exception of one person who died on the way to the hospital.Kenai lawmaker Rep. Gary Knopp was one of the passengers in a plane involved in the fatal crash.Alaska House Majority Communications Director Austin Baird confirmed the news through a press release Friday morning.“I’m devastated and shocked to learn of the crash that claimed Gary Knopp’s life,” said House Speaker Bryce Edgmon of Dillingham. Mike Dunleavy and First Lady Rose Dunleavy released a statement following the news.“The First Lady and I wish to express our heartfelt condolences to Representative Knopp’s family as they mourn his untimely passing,” Dunleavy said.
He will be missed by many.”Gov. The Russian film Unforgiven (2018) is based on the Überlingen mid-air collision, with Dmitry Nagiyev portraying Kaloyev. I couldn’t believe I was seeing that and it reminded me of that shock of 911 that you can’t believe what you’re seeing the plane was exploding.”Update 9:45am: The Sterling Highway is now open. As a legislator, he was a man of conscience and duty. A person I trusted and cared for, I knew he had the state’s and his constituents’ best interests at heart, always. “Throughout his 42 years on the Kenai Peninsula, Gary became well known as an avid outdoorsman, a skilled pilot, and a dedicated public servant. We are still in shock to learn of the loss and the significant impacts to our community and our state.According to NTSB Alaska Chief Clint Johnson, a mid-air collision of two aircraft north of Soldotna Friday morning was close to the airport.According to the Associated Press, the FAA says the planes involved were a single-engine de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver and a twin-engine Piper Aztec. Directed by Ian Robertson. See also.
Two federal investigators were dispatched to the scene shortly after the crash.Rita Geller, a shop attendant at Birch Ridge Golf Course near Soldotna, said she heard the crash and saw a plane going down.The first thing was I heard a really loud, metallic clang," she said. The disaster was also the subject of an episode in the documentary series Mayday (Air Crash Investigation) on 11 November 2009 entitled "Sight Unseen", also shown on the National Geographic Channel. More than a legislator, Gary Knopp was a husband, father, son, brother, grandfather, and friend. With Stephen Bogaert, Damir Andrei, Jim Annan, Christopher Stanton. Bashkirian Airlines Flight 2927 vs. DHL Flight 611. LAS VEGAS – Two pilots are dead after their aircraft collided mid-air while battling a 500-acre wildfire in southeastern Nevada, according to authorities. 7 killed in mid-air plane crash in Alaska, including 4 from S.C. Gary was a friend. I was in shock. Seven people were killed following a mid-air collision involving two aircrafts in Alaska Friday morning. July 31, 2020 at 9:14 PM EDT - Updated August 1 at 10:36 AM A Gray Media Group, Inc. Station - © 2002-2020 Gray Television, Inc. (Source: KTUU) The other plane had six passengers who were identified as 57-year-old Pilot Gregory Bell of Soldotna, 40-year-old David Rogers from Kansas, 26-year-old Caleb Hulsey, 25-year-old Heather Hulsey, 24-year-old Mackay Hulsey and 23-year-old Kirstin Wright all from South Carolina.Troopers say family has been notified. Troopers say there was debris left on the Sterling Highway near where the crash happened at mile 91.5.