Local News
Pilot and First Officer of American Eagle Flight 5342 identified as Jonathan Campos and Samuel Lilley
The pilots and flight attendants aboard American Eagle Flight 5342, which tragically collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over Washington, D.C., have been identified.
Captain Jonathan Campos, 34, and First Officer Samuel Lilley, 29, were at the controls of the regional jet when it crashed into the Potomac River near Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night.
Flight attendants Ian Epstein and Danasia Elder were also aboard the ill-fated flight.
The collision, which occurred 400 feet above the Potomac River as Flight 5342 was on its final approach to DCA, resulted in a catastrophic fireball that sent both aircraft plunging into the water.
The PSA Airlines-operated jet, which was carrying 60 passengers, was completing a routine flight from Wichita, Kansas, when the accident occurred.
First Officer Samuel Lilley, who was recently engaged, was just months away from being promoted to captain, a milestone he had been working toward in his lifelong dream of aviation, his father Timothy Lilley shared in an emotional interview.
“Samuel was in the prime of his life. He was engaged to a beautiful, wonderful girl, and we were all excited about her joining the family,” said Timothy, who himself is a former Army Black Hawk pilot. In a tragic coincidence, he revealed that he had previously flown the same type of helicopter in the exact airspace where the crash occurred.
At the time of the accident, Timothy was at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, unaware that his own son was involved. “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 realize it was his airline, and I knew his schedule.”
Captain Jonathan Campos, who was originally from New York but grew up in Florida, had dedicated years to his passion for aviation.
According to records from Epic Flight Academy, Campos was certified as a flight instructor in 2017 before earning his commercial airline pilot license in 2018.
The two flight attendants aboard Flight 5342 were Ian Epstein and Danasia Elder. Epstein, like Lilley, came from a family of aviators.
His father, who is also a pilot, shared that Ian was engaged to be married and had begun his airline career in 2019.
The aviation community is mourning the loss of these dedicated professionals as investigations into the cause of the midair collision continue.
The FAA and NTSB have launched a full inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the crash, and further details are expected in the coming days.
Local News
Graphic Video Captures Deadly Small Plane Crash Near Boca Raton Airport, Bodies Visible at Scene
A small twin-engine aircraft crashed near the Boca Raton Airport on the morning of Friday, April 11, 2025, killing all three individuals on board and sending shockwaves through the local community.
The incident occurred at approximately 10:12 a.m. near the intersection of Military Trail and Glades Road, within close proximity to the airport.
Graphic video footage from the scene, widely circulated on social media, captured the harrowing final moments of the aircraft as it descended rapidly and exploded upon impact, sending a fireball and thick black plumes of smoke into the sky.
Bodies were visible at the scene, and the wreckage scattered across Military Trail and nearby railroad tracks.
According to Boca Raton Assistant Fire Chief Michael LaSalle, the aircraft—a Cessna 310—reported mechanical difficulties shortly after takeoff.
The plane had departed from Boca Raton Airport and was en route to Tallahassee International Airport.
Approximately a mile from the airport, the plane lost control and crashed onto Military Trail.
“All three individuals on board were pronounced dead at the scene,” LaSalle confirmed during a press briefing. “One motorist who was driving on Military Trail at the time suffered non-life-threatening injuries after swerving to avoid the crash and colliding with a tree. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment.”
Emergency crews responded swiftly and were able to contain the blaze shortly after the crash. The large plume of smoke was visible for miles and prompted immediate lockdowns and emergency protocols at nearby schools, businesses, and residential areas.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims, pending notification of next of kin.
As a result of the crash, Boca Raton police closed several major roads in the area, including North Military Trail between Northwest 19th Street and Butts Road.
The intersection of Glades Road and Military Trail also remains closed. The Interstate 95 overpass at Glades Road was shut down in both directions, causing significant traffic disruptions.
The Boca Raton Airport has been closed temporarily, and officials at Boca Raton Community High School urged parents not to pick up students due to congestion and road closures.
The School District of Palm Beach County has issued an alert warning of limited access to the campus as emergency crews remain on scene.
The crash also affected regional transit. Tri-Rail announced that rail service has been temporarily suspended between the Deerfield Beach and Boca Raton stations, with a bus bridge in place to transport passengers between the two.
Rail service remains operational north of Boca and south of Deerfield, though officials are advising commuters to expect delays and seek alternate routes where possible.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has assumed lead responsibility for the investigation. A spokesperson confirmed that investigators would arrive in Boca Raton around 4 p.m. to begin a formal inquiry.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is also assisting with the investigation and will remain in close coordination with local authorities.
The Boca Raton Airport is a state-owned public-use general aviation facility located approximately two miles northwest of downtown Boca Raton, adjacent to Florida Atlantic University and visible from Interstate 95.
It is operated by the Boca Raton Airport Authority, a seven-member board appointed by the City of Boca Raton and the Palm Beach County Commission.
Officials have urged the public to avoid the area surrounding the crash site while the investigation is underway.
More information is expected to be released as the NTSB conducts its initial assessment.