Shorouk Express
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 and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Eaves.
The identity of the third soldier on the Black Hawk, a female pilot, has yet to be released.
“At the request of the family, the name of the third soldier will not be released at this time,” the Army said in a release Friday.
Below is what we know about them so far.
American Airlines
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Captain Jonathan Campos
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.”
First Officer Sam Lilley
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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.
U.S. Army Blackhawk crew
Instructor pilot Andrew Eaves
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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.
His wife, Carrie Eaves identified the pilot as one of the men who died, in a Facebook post on Thursday.
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.
Crew chief Ryan O’Hara
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Ryan O’Hara was a husband, father, and crew chief on board the Black Hawk. Helicopter crew chiefs are responsible for the maintenance of the aircraft.
O’Hara had formerly attended Parkview Marine Corps JROTC at Parkview High School, Lilburn, where he was described as a hands-on gym member and “a vital member of the rifle team”, according to WTVY.
He, his wife, and their one-year-old lived together in Arlington, Virginia, according to WSBTV.
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.”
After graduating, he went on to join the U.S. Army and even had a stint serving in Afghanistan, reported the outlet.
