2020 Kenai Peninsula mid-air collision

Around 8:27 AM on July 31, 2020, 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 from the road.[2] Due to safety concerns, the highway had to be closed for a brief time.

2020 Kenai Peninsula mid-air collision
Accident
DateJuly 31, 2020 (2020-07-31)
SummaryMid-air collision; under investigation
SiteSoldotna, Alaska, United States
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 only occupant of the Piper, also died at the crash location.[3] He was elected to the State Legislature in 2016, and had been a long time flight instructor and pilot. In his honour, Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered U.S. and Alaska state flags to be flown at half-staff in honour of Knopp for three days.[3]

Aircraft and accident

The 64-year-old Beaver[4], operated by High Adventure Air Charter on lease from Soldotna Aircraft & Equipment Leasing LLC, was traveling from Longmere Lake to Cook Inlet.[5][2][6][7]

The 74 year old Piper was privately owned by Knopp himself [8] and departed from Soldotna Airport.

National Weather Service reports from the Soldotna airport for Friday morning showed clear visibility, with broken clouds at 10,000 and 4,500 feet.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.

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. NTSB recovering planes in midair collision near Soldotna that killed 7, including legislator and local pilot, Morgan Krakow, Anchorage Daily News, August 1, 2020.
  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. State lawmaker and local pilot among 7 killed in midair collision over Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula, Zaz Hollander, James Brooks, Anchorage Daily News, July 31, 2020.
  6. Kenai legislator and local pilot among 7 killed in midair plane crash, Tegan Hanlon, Alaska Public Media, July 31, 2020.
  7. Mid-Air Collision Leaves Seven Dead on the Kenai Peninsula, press release, Alaska Department of Public Safety, July 31, 2020.
  8. "FAA Registry - Aircraft - N-Number Inquiry". registry.faa.gov. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
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