NTSB: Lawmaker in plane crash flew despite vision problems
(AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)An Alaska state lawmaker who was involved in a July midair collision that killed seven people was piloting his plane even though his medical flight certification was denied eight years ago because of vision problems, a federal agency reported Tuesday. The crash occurred around 8:30 a.m. at about 1,175 feet with clear skies up to 8,500 feet, the report stated. The de Havilland, which was equipped with floats to land on water, took off from a nearby lake about the same time as Knopp's plane left the Soldotna Airport. The plane had a valid number that was registered to Knopp, but a different number was on the plane's exterior. Knopp was first elected to the state House in 2016.
Midair collision kills state legislator, 6 others in Alaska
The Alaska House Majority says Knopp was killed in the mid-air collision of two planes near Soldotna on Friday, July 31, 2020. Alaska State Troopers would not confirm Knopp's death beyond saying the mid-air collision near the airport in Soldotna was a fatal crash. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)ANCHORAGE, Alaska Seven people, including an Alaska state lawmaker, died Friday when two small airplanes collided in midair near the airport in Soldotna, a small community on Alaskas Kenai Peninsula. Alaska State Troopers said state Rep. Gary Knopp, 67, of Kenai was the sole occupant of one plane. More than a legislator, Gary Knopp was a husband, father, son, brother, grandfather, and friend.
Wales heads to Rugby World Cup semifinal
David Rogers/Getty Images(CNN) - A red card for France forward Sebastein Vahaamahina swung the pendulum in a seesawing Rugby World Cup quarterfinal as Wales fought back to win 20-19. On 49 minutes, France led 19-10 thanks to a blistering opening half that saw Vahaamahina, Charles Ollivon and Virimi Vakatawa score three first half tries. Aaron Wainwright dotted down for Wales in the first period but there was a clear gulf between the sides at the Oita Stadiium. That was until Vahaamahina grabbed Wainwright around the neck before elbowing him in the face. Then, just six minutes from time, Ross Moriarty scored a scrappy try to see Wales take the lead for the first time in the match and grant his nation passage to the World Cup semifinals for the third time in history.