Newly released information has revealed the identities of the pilots involved in the tragic mid-air collision over Washington DC.
Captain Jonathan Campos, 34, and First Officer Samuel Lilley, 29, were aboard American Eagle Flight 5342 when it collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter just 400 feet above the Potomac River, moments before reaching Reagan National Airport on Wednesday night.
Lilley’s father, Timothy Lilley, shared the heartbreaking news in an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com.
He described his son as someone who was in the prime of his life, with a promising career ahead of him, just months away from being promoted to captain.
“Samuel was in the prime of his life,” his father said, “and we were all excited for him to get married.”
A Devastating Loss for a Family with Aviation Roots
Timothy Lilley, a former Army Black Hawk pilot who now works as a private jet pilot, was at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey when he first heard about the crash.
Initially, he didn’t think it was his son, but as he watched the news and realized the flight was one his son worked for, he soon had confirmation.
“I had to tell his fiancée, and it was just an ugly scene,” Timothy reflected.
The grief-stricken father recounted his emotional reaction: “For five, maybe ten minutes, I was okay, but then I just bawled for ten minutes.”
Samuel Lilley had always dreamed of flying, following in the footsteps of his father.
After initially pursuing a career in marketing, he switched to aviation and thrived in his new career.
“His career was really blossoming,” said Timothy.
“He loved working at PSA, and he was just about to make captain.”
The Irony of Tragedy: A Former Black Hawk Pilot Loses His Son in a Helicopter Collision
The tragedy struck even harder for Timothy, who had once been a Black Hawk helicopter pilot.
He had flown that same route many times during his service.
“The irony is that I was a Black Hawk pilot for 20 years, and I used to fly that exact same route,” he said.
His grief was compounded by the sense that his military background somehow tied him to the death of his son.
“My brothers in the Army had something to do with the death of my son,” he reflected.
Timothy Lilley’s Frustration with American Airlines During a Devastating Time
In the midst of his loss, Timothy expressed frustration with American Airlines for their lack of communication.
He explained how difficult it was to get any answers. “American has not been good about giving me any information,” he said.
He resorted to calling the company’s hotline, but all they did was take his information and promise to call back.
“My ex-wife is on her way here, and his fiancée,” he added.
“We’re starting the grieving process. It’s going to be a long, difficult process.”
Details on Captain Jonathan Campos and the Other Flight Attendant
While Samuel Lilley’s family has spoken out, we are also learning more about Captain Jonathan Campos.
Born in New York but raised in Florida, Campos was passionate about aviation from a young age.
He graduated from Epic Flight Academy in 2017 and was certified as both a flight instructor and a commercial airline pilot.
His uncle, Hector Campos, told DailyMail.com, “He loved aviation.”
The family is in shock following his death, along with the loss of the two flight attendants, Ian Epstein and Danasia Elder, who were also on board.
A Tragic Conclusion to a Flight Full of Promise
Flight 5342, which was headed to Washington DC from Wichita, Kansas, carried 60 passengers when it collided with the Black Hawk helicopter.
All passengers and crew members, including the three people aboard the helicopter, are believed to have perished in the disaster.
The crash occurred just before 9pm ET, and while the investigation continues, the grief felt by the families of those involved remains profound.
More details will be shared as they become available.
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