An Alaska state lawmaker was killed along with six others in a two-aircraft collision that occurred Friday morning.
State Rep. Gary Knopp, 67, was the sole passenger on one of the planes that crashed into the other that carried six passengers.
Multiple witnesses saw the crash happen, according to state troopers. Most of the wreckage from the crash landed about 200 yards from operating roads, which were temporarily closed due to safety concerns.
Knopp was a certified flight instructor and registered pilot who was elected to the state Legislature in 2016. Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered all U.S. and Alaska state flags to be flown at half-staff to honor Knopp for three days beginning Friday and ending Monday.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.
