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THE owners of a Paradise Point construction company have been killed in a light aircraft crash in Alaska.
Alaskan State Troopers confirmed Choice Homes owners Steve Knight, 64, and his wife Gillian, 60, died when their Piper airplane crashed near Fairbanks.
A representative from Choice Homes this afternoon confirmed to Gold Coast Business News the Knights had been killed, but offered no further comment. The deaths were also confirmed on the Choice Homes Facebook site.
“Troy and Kim Knight, their family and the Choice Homes family are shocked and deeply sadden with the untimely news of the loss of our founding mother and father, Gillian and Steve Knight,” the statement says.
“The news of their tragic accident in Alaska is being taken very severely by all who were touched by this amazing and wonderful couple.
“We will all be in shock for some time, but our strength and love will continue to ensure their legacy, and Choice Homes’ future, only grows stronger with their memory.”
Investigators say the Knights were the only occupants of a Piper PA-32R-301 which went down in a mountainous area around 5pm local time. The Troopers say Steve Knight pilot was the pilot.
Shortly before the crash, Knight had made contact with Fairbanks air traffic control to advise he was moving from visual to instrumental navigation – often a step taken in worsening weather conditions, an Alaskan State Trooper spokeswoman says.
It is believed the Knights were in America on a self-flying trip with friends. It is understood they were flying in company with at least one other light aircraft.
Their plane was registered in California and leased to West Valley Flying Club in Alaska, which specialises in self-fly holidays for experienced pilots.
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