FL Pilot Among Those Killed In DC Plane, Helicopter Crash: Reports

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A Florida pilot is among those presumed killed in a Wednesday night crash involving an American Airlines passenger jet and a military helicopter in the Washington, D.C. area, according to multiple reports.

The American Airlines passenger flight and a UH-60 Blackhawk, with a crew of three, collided about 8:48 p.m. Wednesday night over the Potomac River near the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in clear weather conditions. Authorities said both aircraft were on normal flight patterns when they collided.

At least 28 bodies have been pulled from the Potomac River as of midday Thursday. No survivors are expected.

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Family members have identified the plane's two pilots as Captain Jonathan Campos, 34, who was born in New York but grew up in Florida, and First Officer Sam Lilley, 28, who has ties to the Savannah, Georgia, area, The Daily Mail reported.

Campos has been with American Airlines since 2022, CNN said.

The Ormond Beach resident’s aunt identified him to News 6. She said several family members have traveled to Washington, D.C., following the deadly crash.

Campos was certified as a flight instructor in 2017 at Epic Flight Academy in New Smyrna Beach and then as a commercial airline pilot one year later, reports said.

His alma mater released a comment about Campos, who was also a helicopter pilot and certified aviation mechanic, reports said.

“Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Captain Jonathan Campos (Aeronautical Sciences,’15). Our thoughts are with his family and the families and loved ones of all impacted by this tragic accident,” the school said, according to News 6.

More on the crash can be found here.

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