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. โI saw the crash on the news. I didnโt think there was any way it was my son,โ he recalled. โBut then I watched long enough to realize it was his airline, and I knew his schedule.โ
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
Train Derails in Ferguson Involving Vehicles, Hazmat Team Called Over Ethyl Alcohol Rail Car
FERGUSON, Mo. โ A train derailment involving vehicles prompted an emergency response in Ferguson on Ferguson Avenue, where authorities requested a hazardous materials team after determining that one of the train cars contained ethyl alcohol.
Emergency units were dispatched to 617 Ferguson Avenue after reports of the rail incident. Responders found a train that had derailed with vehicles involved.
Officials confirmed there was no reported entrapment. Crews were checking the scene for injuries and evaluating those involved in the incident.
A Hazmat response was requested because one rail car involved in the derailment was carrying ethyl alcohol. Emergency crews were assessing the rail car for any potential leak or hazardous condition and working to secure the area.
The presence of ethyl alcohol prompted additional safety precautions while responders examined the derailed train and surrounding vehicles.
At this time, authorities have not released details about possible injuries, the cause of the derailment or the extent of damage.
The investigation and emergency response remain ongoing in Ferguson, and officials are expected to provide additional information once the scene has been fully assessed.