A grieving father has shared his heartbreak after learning that his 28-year-old son, Sam Lilley, was among those killed in a devastating midair crash near Washington, D.C. Sam, one of the pilots aboard an American Airlines regional flight, lost his life when the plane collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. The tragic accident occurred on the night of January 29 as the commercial jet was making its approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The collision resulted in the deaths of all 60 passengers and four crew members on the flight, along with three soldiers who were aboard the military helicopter. A Father's Worst Nightmare Timothy Lilley, a former military helicopter pilot, confirmed that his son was in the cockpit of the ill-fated flight. Overcome with grief, he expressed the profound pain of losing his child. “This is the hardest day of my life,” Timothy shared in an interview. He recalled how Sam had always been passionate about aviation, beginning flight training in 2019 before securing a position with PSA Airlines, a regional carrier under American Airlines. Sam had been with the company for two years and was engaged to be married later this year. Timothy, who was away on a work trip in New York at the time of the accident, initially did not believe his son was on the flight when he heard about the crash on the news. But as the hours passed without any word from Sam, he began to fear the worst. A Heartbreaking Tribute The following day, Timothy took to social media to share his sorrow, posting a tribute to his late son. “I was so proud when Sam became a pilot. Now the pain is unbearable. I can’t even cry myself to sleep,” he wrote, sharing a photo of Sam standing beside an advanced training aircraft. He continued, “Sam had a bright future ahead—he loved his career, and he was preparing to marry the love of his life in the fall. Losing him is devastating.” His post resonated with many, as friends, family, and even strangers expressed their condolences and support. Questions About the Crash As an experienced pilot, Timothy has raised concerns about what led to the tragic accident. Reflecting on his own military aviation experience, he noted that flying at night with night vision goggles can make it difficult to see other aircraft. “From what I’ve observed, it looks like the helicopter turned straight into the jet,” he explained. “I believe the PSA flight was following protocol, and the mistake came from the Army pilot. It’s painful to say because those soldiers are my brothers, but now my son is gone.” Investigation Underway The National Transportation Safety Board, with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration, is conducting a full investigation into the incident to determine the exact cause of the collision. This heartbreaking loss has left many mourning the lives lost in the crash. Our thoughts are with the families affected by this tragedy.

Father of Young Pilot Killed in D.C. Midair Collision Speaks Out

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A grieving father has shared his heartbreak after learning that his 28-year-old son, Sam Lilley, was among those killed in a devastating midair crash near Washington, D.C. Sam, one of the pilots aboard an American Airlines regional flight, lost his life when the plane collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter.

The tragic accident occurred on the night of January 29 as the commercial jet was making its approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The collision resulted in the deaths of all 60 passengers and four crew members on the flight, along with three soldiers who were aboard the military helicopter.

A Father’s Worst Nightmare

Timothy Lilley, a former military helicopter pilot, confirmed that his son was in the cockpit of the ill-fated flight. Overcome with grief, he expressed the profound pain of losing his child.

“This is the hardest day of my life,” Timothy shared in an interview.

He recalled how Sam had always been passionate about aviation, beginning flight training in 2019 before securing a position with PSA Airlines, a regional carrier under American Airlines. Sam had been with the company for two years and was engaged to be married later this year.

Timothy, who was away on a work trip in New York at the time of the accident, initially did not believe his son was on the flight when he heard about the crash on the news. But as the hours passed without any word from Sam, he began to fear the worst.

A Heartbreaking Tribute

The following day, Timothy took to social media to share his sorrow, posting a tribute to his late son.

“I was so proud when Sam became a pilot. Now the pain is unbearable. I can’t even cry myself to sleep,” he wrote, sharing a photo of Sam standing beside an advanced training aircraft.

He continued, “Sam had a bright future ahead—he loved his career, and he was preparing to marry the love of his life in the fall. Losing him is devastating.”

His post resonated with many, as friends, family, and even strangers expressed their condolences and support.

Questions About the Crash

As an experienced pilot, Timothy has raised concerns about what led to the tragic accident. Reflecting on his own military aviation experience, he noted that flying at night with night vision goggles can make it difficult to see other aircraft.

“From what I’ve observed, it looks like the helicopter turned straight into the jet,” he explained. “I believe the PSA flight was following protocol, and the mistake came from the Army pilot. It’s painful to say because those soldiers are my brothers, but now my son is gone.”

Investigation Underway

The National Transportation Safety Board, with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration, is conducting a full investigation into the incident to determine the exact cause of the collision.

This heartbreaking loss has left many mourning the lives lost in the crash. Our thoughts are with the families affected by this tragedy.

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