The pilot of the American Airlines plane that crashed in Washington DC on Thursday morning has been identified by his family. Sam Lilley was one of the two pilots killed when his passenger plane collided with a military helicopter.
His father, Timothy Lilley, told US news outlet Fox 5 Atlanta that the 28-year-old was engaged to be married and had begun his training in 2019. He was serving as the first officer on the ill-fated flight.
Timothy, who was a former Army helicopter pilot, said: "This is undoubtedly the worst day of my life. 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."
Timothy believes that the jet involved followed the proper procedures yet the helicopter may have made a tragic error. "From what I can see, those guys turned right into the jet. I think the PSA jet was doing everything right. The Army pilot made a grave error. It hurts me because those are my brothers, and now my son is dead,” he said.
Officials have now reported there are no survivors after the passenger plane carrying 64 people and a military helicopter carrying three collided over Potomac River in Washington. DC.
DC fire chief John Donnelly told media that 28 bodies have been pulled from the wreckage - 27 from the plane, one from the helicopter
The crash saw the immediate shutdown of all runways and the suspension of all flights at the DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport near the US capital.
American Airlines has set up hubs in Washington and Wichita, Kansas in order to help people who want information about family members.
A hotline has also been made live for people looking for people who they think were on the plane: 1-800 679 8215.
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