Who was flying the American Airlines plane and Black Hawk helicopter before Washington DC crash?
Who was flying the American Airlines plane and Black Hawk helicopter before Washington DC crash?
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Officials have recovered 40 bodies from the wreckage after American Airlines flight collided with Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac. 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 instructor pilot Andrew Eaves. His female co-pilot has yet to be named.
![[Sam Lilley was an American Airlines first officer]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/31/9/59/SEI238038844.jpeg)
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”.
![[Chief warrant officer Andrew Eaves]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/31/8/25/94710929-14344975-Grieving_widow_Carrie_Eaves_revealed_her_husband_Chief_Warrant_O-a-16_173829490324.jpeg)
“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.”. 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.
![[Ryan O’Hara was also on board on the helicopter]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/31/8/57/94698569-14343793-image-a-1_1738266562762-(1)-copy.jpeg)
Instructor pilot Andrew Eaves was a father, husband, and a chief warrant officer in the U.S. Army from Noxubee County, Mississippi. The Army official graduated from Central Academy, Brooksville, according to local newspaper, The Macon Beacon. Eaves’ niece Kaitlyn Lawrence described him as a man who was “truly a light in a lot of our dark days”. She added: “Wings of freedom has a whole new meaning now. We love you.”.
The Black Hawk’s co-pilot is yet to be named. Ryan O’Hara was a husband, father, and crew chief on board the Black Hawk. Helicopter crew chiefs are responsible for maintenance of the aircraft. Parkview High School’s former Marine Corps JROTC Instructor David Erwin told WSBTV that O’Hara had been a “quiet kid” who came out of his shell during his time at Parkview. When Erwin heard the news, he said: “It was a gut punch. It was a gut punch this morning when I saw that.”.
