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. Alaska State Troopers say state Rep. Gary Knopp was the sole occupant of one plane. 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. The two planes collided about 150 miles south of Anchorage. The other victims of the crash were Gregory Bell, 57; David Rogers, 40; Caleb Hulsey, 26; Heather Hulsey, 25; Mackay Hulsey, 24; and Kirstin Wright, 23, according to the state's Department of Public Safety.A plane rests in brush and trees after a midair collision outside of Soldotna, Alaska, on July 31, 2020. Authorities did not identify which person that was.Then Rep.-elect Gary Knopp sits in his office at the Alaska Capitol in Juneau, Jan. 16, 2017. Knopp's colleagues offered their condolences to his family, including his wife, Helen. "And I looked up and I saw a plane going down and I ran around a tree to get a better look and I could see the plane blowing apart. By Caroline Linton Updated on: August 1, 2020 / 10:04 AM / CBS News
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - A crash involving two aircraft near Soldotna has resulted in the deaths of seven people, Alaska State Troopers said Friday afternoon.Troopers have identified Rep. Gary Knopp of Kenai as the pilot and sole occupant of one of the planes. The Alaska House Majority says Knopp was killed in the mid-air collision of two planes near Soldotna on July 31, 2020. A person I trusted and cared for, I knew he had the state’s and his constituents’ best interests at heart, always. Alaska 261 departed from Puerto Vallarta at 13:37 PST (21:37 UTC), and climbed to its intended cruising altitude of flight level 310 (31,000 feet or 9,400 meters). Instead, it was a black bear looking for a free meal.Police investigating woman's death in Anchorage's Taku-Campbell neighborhood.DHSS reports one new death and 86 new COVID-19 cases among Alaska residentsAssembly to vote on framework for $156 million in CARES fundsMurkowski responds to failed congressional relief dealDHSS reports 98 new COVID-19 cases among Alaska residents and 2 nonresidentsUPDATE: Lanes back open; southbound New Seward at Tudor and Homer Drive at 56thMunicipality files for hearing to hold Kriner’s Diner in contempt of courtProgram allows some Alaska Native Vietnam vets to get landPizza delivery car destroyed by black bear in JuneauDHSS reports one new death and 78 new cases of COVID-19 among Alaska residents Rep. Steve Thompson called Knopp "one of the nicest guys I've ever met. When I heard the horrific sounds of a plane crash this morning, which occurred very close to my home, I knew there was a high probability it involved someone we knew well.“My family and I are heartbroken to learn of the loss of Representative Gary Knopp, Greg Bell, and the other lost souls due to this morning’s collision. I was in shock. 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. He will be tremendously missed.”“I am stunned by the news of Gary’s tragic death. 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 "Gary was a one-of-a-kind leader and a true Alaskan who worked tirelessly for his district in the Legislature. Alaska … Some time before 15:49 (23:49 UTC), the flight crew contacted the airline's dispatch and maintenance control facilities in SeaTac, Washington, on a company radio frequency shared with operations and maintenance facilities at Los Angeles International Airport(LAX), to discuss a jammed h… A plane rests in brush and trees after a midair collision outside of Soldotna, Alaska, on July 31, 2020. "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."
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. 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. Troopers found the majority of the wreckage about two hundred yards from the road. Alaska state legislator among seven people killed in midair plane collision. … He will be truly missed." 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.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - A crash involving two aircraft near Soldotna has resulted in the deaths of seven people, Alaska State Troopers said Friday afternoon.Troopers have identified Rep. Gary Knopp of Kenai as the pilot and sole occupant of one of the planes. The Alaska House Majority says Knopp was killed in the mid-air collision of two planes near Soldotna on July 31, 2020. A person I trusted and cared for, I knew he had the state’s and his constituents’ best interests at heart, always. Alaska 261 departed from Puerto Vallarta at 13:37 PST (21:37 UTC), and climbed to its intended cruising altitude of flight level 310 (31,000 feet or 9,400 meters). Instead, it was a black bear looking for a free meal.Police investigating woman's death in Anchorage's Taku-Campbell neighborhood.DHSS reports one new death and 86 new COVID-19 cases among Alaska residentsAssembly to vote on framework for $156 million in CARES fundsMurkowski responds to failed congressional relief dealDHSS reports 98 new COVID-19 cases among Alaska residents and 2 nonresidentsUPDATE: Lanes back open; southbound New Seward at Tudor and Homer Drive at 56thMunicipality files for hearing to hold Kriner’s Diner in contempt of courtProgram allows some Alaska Native Vietnam vets to get landPizza delivery car destroyed by black bear in JuneauDHSS reports one new death and 78 new cases of COVID-19 among Alaska residents Rep. Steve Thompson called Knopp "one of the nicest guys I've ever met. When I heard the horrific sounds of a plane crash this morning, which occurred very close to my home, I knew there was a high probability it involved someone we knew well.“My family and I are heartbroken to learn of the loss of Representative Gary Knopp, Greg Bell, and the other lost souls due to this morning’s collision. I was in shock. 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. He will be tremendously missed.”“I am stunned by the news of Gary’s tragic death. 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 "Gary was a one-of-a-kind leader and a true Alaskan who worked tirelessly for his district in the Legislature. Alaska … Some time before 15:49 (23:49 UTC), the flight crew contacted the airline's dispatch and maintenance control facilities in SeaTac, Washington, on a company radio frequency shared with operations and maintenance facilities at Los Angeles International Airport(LAX), to discuss a jammed h… A plane rests in brush and trees after a midair collision outside of Soldotna, Alaska, on July 31, 2020. "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."
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. 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. Troopers found the majority of the wreckage about two hundred yards from the road. Alaska state legislator among seven people killed in midair plane collision. … He will be truly missed." 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.