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. Most of the wreckage landed about 200 yards (180 m) from the road. Alaska State Representative Gary Knopp was piloting one of the aircraft and was killed in the accident.
A de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver also manufactured in 1956, similar to the accident aircraft
A Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser similar to the accident aircraft
In aviation, a mid-air collision is an accident in which two or more aircraft come into unplanned contact during flight. Owing to the relatively high velocities involved and the likelihood of subsequent impact with the ground or sea, very severe damage or the total destruction of at least one of the aircraft usually results.
Contemporary artist's impression of the first mid-air collision, 1910
XB-70 Valkyrie 62-0207 following the mid-air collision on 8 June 1966: The XB-70 can be seen at the far left of the image, missing one of its vertical stabilizers, while the large fireball is the F-104 Starfighter with which it collided.
