Aircraft Collision Kills Lawmaker, 6 Others
An Alaska legislator, Gary Knopp and six other passengers have died when two aircraft collided in mid-air near the Soldotna Airport on Kenai Peninsula in the U.S. state of Alaska.
In a statement made available by the Alaska Department of Public Safety, it was confirmed that one plane carried six people while Gary Knopp was the only occupant in the other aircraft.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the aircraft involved in the crash was a single-engine de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver and a Piper PA-12.
Meanwhile, all other passengers were confirmed dead on the scene except for one person that succumbed to injuries during transport to the local hospital.
It was gathered that identity has been made on all occupants of both aircraft and next of kin notifications have been made.
Mr Knopp, who was a certified flight instructor and a registered pilot was elected to the Alaska Legislature in 2016 and was a candidate in this year’s Republican primary for House District 30.
In the meantime, Alaska Governor, Mike Dunleavy, has ordered the U.S. flag and Alaska state flag to be flown at half-staff in honour of Knopp while the Alaska legislative leaders have also expressed their grief over Mr Knopp’s death.