‘Worst day of my life’ Father recognizes his son, American Airlines pilot among the victims of the DC plane crash

Captain Jonathan Campos, 34, and First Officer Samuel Lilley have been identified as the pilots of the American Eagle jet involved in the devastating mid-air collision over Washington, D.C.

The victims of the tragic collision between an American Eagle plane and a Black Hawk helicopter in Washington, DC, on Thursday night have been identified, including two pilots and several flight attendants.

Among the victims were Captain Jonathan Campos, 34, and First Officer Samuel Lilley, 28. Lilley’s father, Timothy Lilley, who is also a pilot, was in New York for work when he received the devastating news that his son was in the ill-fated cockpit.

Speaking to FOX 5 Atlanta, he expressed the immense pain of his loss, saying, “This is undoubtedly the worst day of my life.”

Newly-engaged Lilley, 29, was just months away from being promoted to captain. And he loved doing his job, his father Timothy later told the ‘Daily Mail‘.

Samuel Lilley was in the prime of his life, engaged to a “beautiful, wonderful girl,” and his family was eagerly anticipating welcoming her, his father, Timothy Lilley, shared.

“I saw the crash on the news. I didn’t think there was any way it was my son,” he recalled. “But then I watched long enough to figure out it was my son’s airline, and then I kind of knew his schedule.”

Thimoty then called his son’s fiance “I called his fiancée, confirmed and then I had to tell her. It was just an ugly scene.”

“You know what, I was OK for five, maybe 10 minutes. And then I bawled for 10 minutes. It’s a bitter, bitter pill to swallow.” He shared with the Daily Mail

Despite the immense grief, Timothy found some solace in his son’s faith. “But my son knows Jesus, and that’s the part that makes it a little easier,” he said. “But I’m still left behind. We’re all left behind. He was loved by so many people.“

Jonathan Campos

Jonathan Campos, originally from New York, spent his formative years in Florida, where he nurtured a deep passion for aviation.

His journey in the field took off at the Epic Flight Academy, where he earned his certification as a flight instructor in 2017. Just a year later, he achieved his dream of becoming a commercial airline pilot, according to academy records.

His uncle, Hector Campos, shared how dedicated Jonathan was to his profession, stating, “He loved it.” The family is now grappling with the devastating news, with Hector expressing their collective shock, saying, “We just confirmed the news. We are in complete shock.”