Who was flying the American Airlines plane and Black Hawk helicopter before Washington DC crash?
Dozens of bodies have been recovered from the Potomac River after an American Airlines jet collided with a U.S. Army helicopter, claiming the lives of 67 people.
Authorities are going through the gruesome process of identifying the victims found so far, as families of people on board are forced to wait to have their worst fears confirmed.
Among those who have been identified are the personnel flying the two aircraft. The American Airlines crew included Captain Jonathan Campos, 34, and First Officer Sam Lilley, 28. The Blackhawk crew included Staff Sgt. Ryan O’Hara, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Eaves and Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach.
Below is what we know about them so far.
Captain Campos, 34, was born in New York but grew up in Florida. He attended Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University where he became a certified flight instructor in 2017 and a commercial airline pilot a year later, according to company records seen by Mail Online.
Speaking with the outlet, his uncle Hector Campos said his nephew thrived in the aviation business, saying: “He loved it”.
“We are in complete shock,” Mr Campos said upon learning of his family’s loss.
His alma mater issued a statement on his death, saying: “Our thoughts are with his family and the families and loved ones of all impacted by this tragic accident.”
American Airlines pilot Sam Lilley, 28, was a “fun, adventurous son and brother” from Richmond Hill, Georgia, his sister Tiffany Gibson told The Charlotte Observer.
She revealed her brother had been visiting her in Goldsboro, North Carolina, with his fiancee, just before the tragedy took place.
Lilley followed in his father’s footsteps by training as a pilot, but worked in marketing before making the career move, said his sister.
“He loved traveling and he loved flying”, she told the outlet.
Captain Rebecca M. Lobach was among the crew who was killed on board the training mission collision that occurred close to Ronald Reagan National Airport on Thursday. She was 28 years old.
Lobach served as an aviation officer from July 2019 to January 2025. She was assigned to the 12th Aviation Battalion, Ft Belvoir.
