2 Killed In DC Plane Crash Had GA Ties

Updated 4:30 p.m. Friday

GEORGIA — A pilot and a crew chief were among 67 people dead Wednesday after an American Airlines flight collided midair with an Army helicopter and landed in the Potomac River near Washington, D.C., reports say.

Three Army soldiers were on the Black Hawk helicopter, which was being used in a training exercise out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Military.com reported, citing the Pentagon.

Jonathan Koziol, chief of staff for Army aviation, told Atlanta News First the crew aboard the Black Hawk were extremely experienced and that the pilots had previously flown the route around Washington, D.C. at night. Koziol added the crew chief spent much time in the unit.

The U.S. Army on Friday identified two of the three slain soldiers, one of whom was Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28, of Lilburn.

Parkview High School Marine Corps JROTC confirmed to WSB-TV and Atlanta News First that O’Hara was the helicopter's crew chief.

Additionally, Timothy Lilley told Fox 5 Atlanta that Sam Lilley, his 28-year-old son, was a pilot killed in the crash.

Gov. Brian Kemp on Thursday sent his condolences to the friends and families of the victims.

"Both of these young Georgians shared a passion for flight and for serving others, and this terrible tragedy is that much more difficult knowing their lives were cut so unexpectedly short," Kemp tweeted. "Marty, the girls and I ask that all Georgians join us in keeping their loved ones in our thoughts and prayers."

Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock called the plane crash "a devastating tragedy."

U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, of Georgia, praised the first responders for their bravery and said the cause of the deadly crash must be determined.

"We lost two of Georgia’s own in last night’s tragic midair collision. My heart breaks for the families of Ryan O’Hara and GA-01’s own Sam Lilley. Please join me in prayer during this very difficult time," Carter tweeted.

Ryan O'Hara

O'Hara was a 2014 graduate of Parkview High School, according to an Atlanta News First report. The school released a brief statement Thursday on Facebook.

"Panther Nation: Sad News. Please keep the O'Hara family in your prayers and thoughts," school officials said.

The Army said O'Hara was a UH-60 helicopter repairer (15T) in the regular Army, where he has served since July 2014. He deployed to Afghanistan for five months in 2017, the Army said.

O'Hara achieved the following accolades: the Army Commendation Medal w/C Device, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal x4, Army Good Conduct Medal x3, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Aviation Badge and Senior Aviation Badge.

Parkview MCJROTC told media outlets that O'Hara had a 1-year-old son and a wife.

“Ryan is fondly remembered as a guy who would fix things around the ROTC gym, as well as a vital member of the rifle team," school officials said in a statement obtained by 11Alive.

Josh Muehlendorf, a senior instructor pilot in the U.S. Army, told the Associated Press that O'Hara was a "committed, disciplined person."

O'Hara and Muehlendorf spent several years flying the same route in D.C., the Associated Press reported. O'Hara was serious about rules and procedures, the news outlet reported.

“Ryan was one of those crew chiefs who always had our back,” Muehlendorf said.

Sam Lilley

Sam Lilley, of American Airlines, was a Richmond High School and Georgia Southern University graduate who was engaged to get married, WJCL reported.

"This is undoubtedly the worst day of my life," Timothy Lilley, a former Army helicopter pilot, told Fox 5 Atlanta.

He later added: "I was a helicopter pilot in the Army for 20 years. In the '90s, I used to fly in and out of the Pentagon regularly, and I can tell you if you are flying on the route over the Potomac and wearing night vision goggles, it's going to be very hard to see that plane. If you're not wearing the goggles, then you might have a chance."

In a Facebook post published Thursday, Timothy Lilley mourned the loss of his son. He noted Sam Lilley's wedding would have taken place in the fall, adding his son was the first officer on Flight 5382.

"I was so proud when Sam became a pilot. Now it hurts so bad I can’t even cry myself to sleep. I know I’ll see him again but my heart is breaking. He was doing great in his career and his personal life. ... It is so devastating to lose someone that is loved so much," Timothy Lilley wrote.

Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero, in a statement obtained by WJCL, said the late pilot graduated from the university in 2018. Marrero added Sam Lilley "embodied the Eagle spirit and soared beyond in his career."

Aerospace company SkyLens said it was awaiting confirmation of the passing of one of its members. In a later Facebook post, the company changed its profile photo seemingly to an image of Sam Lilley with the caption, "Blue skies forever, Sam."

SkyLens CEO Bryan Porter released a statement to WJCL:

"As many professional pilots begin their careers in aerial survey, we were fortunate to have Sam Lilley begin his career at SkyLens during our 2021-22 season. Sam was not only a skilled pilot and fantastic employee but maybe the most likable person we know. He was always wearing smile and loved flying. I was proud to see his career progress as he moved on to the airline industry. Sam remained close with many of our former pilots, including our former and current chief pilots. Any aviation tragedy is painful to those of us in the industry, but when it hits this close to home, it is crushing. Our thoughts are with Sam’s family and fiancé."

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