2020 Alaska mid-air collision

The 2020 Alaska mid-air collision occurred at approximately 8:27 a.m. on July 31, 2020, when a de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver collided with a Piper PA-12 over the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, approximately two miles northeast of Soldotna Airport, near mile 91.5 of the Sterling Highway.[1] Most of the wreckage landed about 200 yards (180 m) from the road.[2] Alaska State Representative Gary Knopp was piloting one of the aircraft and was killed in the accident.[3]

2020 Alaska mid-air collision
Accident
DateJuly 31, 2020 (2020-07-31)
SummaryMid-air collision; under investigation
SiteSoldotna, Alaska, United States
60.495555°N 151.016937°W / 60.495555; -151.016937
Total fatalities7
Total survivors0
First aircraft

A de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver also manufactured in 1956, similar to the accident aircraft
Typede Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver
OperatorHigh Adventure Air Charter
RegistrationN4982U
Flight originLongmere Lake
DestinationCook Inlet
Occupants6
Passengers5
Crew1
Fatalities6
Second aircraft

A Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser similar to the accident aircraft
TypePiper PA-12 Super Cruiser
RegistrationN2587M
Flight originSoldotna Airport
Occupants1
Crew1
Fatalities1

Victims

All six occupants of the Beaver were killed as a result of the collision.[3] Five died instantly, while the sixth person succumbed to their injuries during transport to the local hospital.[3]

Gary Knopp, the pilot and sole occupant of the Piper, also died at the crash location.[3] He was elected to the Alaska House of Representatives in 2016 and had been a long-time flight instructor and pilot. In his honor, Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered U.S. and Alaska state flags to be flown at half-staff for three days.[3]

Aircraft and accident

The Beaver, manufactured in 1956[4] and operated by High Adventure Air Charter on lease from Soldotna Aircraft & Equipment Leasing LLC, was traveling from Longmere Lake to Cook Inlet for a fishing trip.[1][2][5][6]

The Piper, manufactured in 1946, was privately owned by Knopp[7] and departed from Soldotna Airport en route to Fairbanks. Knopp had been denied a medical certification in June 2012 for vision problems; after an appeal, the denial was upheld in July. In addition, although the Piper was registered to Knopp as N2587M, it had the aircraft registration number N1904T painted on the plane's exterior.[8] N1904T had been reserved by Knopp but was not valid, causing the aircraft to be misidentified initially as a Piper Aztec.[9][10]

National Weather Service (NWS) reports from the Soldotna airport for Friday morning showed clear visibility, with broken clouds at 10,000 and 4,500 feet (3,000 and 1,400 m).

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the crash. A preliminary report was issued in August 2020. The two aircraft had taken off at the same time (8:24 a.m. ADT) from separate locations and collided three minutes later, at an altitude of approximately 1,175 feet (358 m). A witness stated he saw the Piper, traveling north, strike the rear fuselage of the Beaver, traveling west; after the impact, he saw what he thought was the Beaver's left wing separate from the aircraft, which entered an uncontrolled spin before crashing to the ground. Paint transfer from the Piper was found on the rear fuselage of the Beaver.[8]

See also

References
  1. "Mid-Air Collision Leaves Seven Dead on the Kenai Peninsula - Press Releases - PIO - Alaska Department of Public Safety". dps.alaska.gov. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  2. Krakow, Morgan (August 1, 2020). "NTSB recovering planes in midair collision near Soldotna that killed 7, including legislator and local pilot". Anchorage Daily News.
  3. Haynes, Danielle (August 1, 2020). "Mid-air plane collision kills 7, including Alaska state rep". UPI. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  4. "FAA Registry - Aircraft - N-Number Inquiry". registry.faa.gov. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  5. Hollander, Zaz; Brooks, James (July 31, 2020). "State lawmaker and local pilot among 7 killed in midair collision over Alaska's Kenai Peninsula". Anchorage Daily News.
  6. Hanlon, Tegan (July 31, 2020). "Kenai legislator and local pilot among 7 killed in midair plane crash". Alaska Public Media.
  7. "FAA Registry - Aircraft - N-Number Inquiry". registry.faa.gov. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  8. Krisher, Tom (August 25, 2020). "NTSB: Lawmaker in plane crash flew despite vision problems". AP News. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  9. Thiessen, Mark (July 31, 2020). "Midair collision kills state legislator, 6 others in Alaska". AP News. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  10. "FAA Registry - Aircraft - N-Number Inquiry". registry.faa.gov. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
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