Local News
Army named Black Hawk helicopter pilot killed in DC midair collision as Cpt. Rebecca Lobach
Durham, NC — The U.S. Army has officially identified Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach of Durham, North Carolina, as the third soldier killed in Wednesday night’s tragic military aviation accident in Washington, D.C. Capt.
Lobach, a distinguished alumna of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was aboard a Black Hawk helicopter that collided with an American Airlines passenger jet before both aircraft plunged into the icy waters of the Potomac River.
The Army’s announcement comes amid an ongoing investigation led by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The crash has resulted in a presumed death toll of 67 individuals, including 60 American Airlines passengers, four crew members, and the three soldiers aboard the Black Hawk.
In an unusual move, the Army initially withheld the identities of the victims, citing the need to notify next of kin. Reuters previously reported that the Black Hawk’s crew consisted of two male soldiers and one female soldier, now confirmed to be Capt. Lobach.
At her family’s home in Rougemont, northern Durham County, military officials and grieving loved ones have gathered in the days following the tragedy. Friends and neighbors have expressed profound disbelief and sorrow over the loss of Capt. Lobach, remembering her as an exceptional individual both in and out of uniform.
Capt. Lobach was widely regarded as a talented and brilliant pilot, known for her meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to excellence.
Friends who knew her through the ROTC program at UNC Chapel Hill recall her determination and resilience. She earned the distinguished military graduate honor, placing her among the top 20% of cadets nationwide—a testament to her leadership skills and academic achievements.
“She was a patriot who deeply loved her country,” said Sam Brown, a close friend and fellow ROTC graduate. “Rebecca embodied everything I aspired to be, and having her as one of my best friends was an incredible privilege. We were so fortunate to have known her.”
Another friend, Sarah Bell, described Lobach as “meticulous in everything she did. She never approached anything half-heartedly or impulsively—whether in life or in the cockpit of a Black Hawk.”
Her friends universally described her as giving, fun, and “golden,” reflecting on the bright light she brought into their lives. She was not only a capable and courageous pilot but also a loyal friend whose warmth and spirit left a lasting impact on everyone she met.
The NTSB continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision, working alongside military officials and aviation experts. Preliminary reports suggest that both aircraft experienced critical issues moments before the crash, but the exact cause has yet to be determined.
As the investigation unfolds, Capt. Lobach’s legacy as a dedicated soldier and cherished friend will be remembered by all who had the honor of knowing her. Funeral arrangements are pending, and the Army is providing support to her family during this difficult time.
UPDATE: Search efforts have been suspended following the sinking of the commercial fishing vessel Lily Jean off the coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts, marking another tragic loss for the city’s historic fishing community.
The U.S. Coast Guard was alerted early Friday morning by the vessel’s emergency beacon after it activated in the water; no mayday call was received.
Responders located a debris field, an unoccupied life raft, and one deceased individual in the water.
Six other crew members remain missing and are presumed lost after an extensive air and sea search yielded no additional results.
The Coast Guard cited frigid water temperatures, challenging weather conditions, and the vast search area in its decision to suspend operations.
GLOUCESTER, Mass. — Authorities have identified all seven individuals who lost their lives after the commercial fishing vessel Lily Jean sank approximately 25 miles off Cape Ann, Massachusetts, early Friday morning, marking a devastating loss for Gloucester’s historic fishing community.
The Lily Jean, a commercial fishing vessel measuring between 72 and 80 feet in length and homeported in Gloucester—the nation’s oldest working fishing port—activated its emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) at approximately 6:50 a.m. Friday while returning to port.
No mayday call was received, and subsequent attempts to contact the vessel were unsuccessful.
The U.S. Coast Guard immediately launched a large-scale search and rescue operation, deploying an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and multiple surface assets to the area of the distress signal.
Crews located a debris field and an unoccupied life raft roughly 25 miles offshore near the EPIRB activation site, confirming the vessel had sunk to the ocean floor. One deceased individual was recovered from the water.
The remaining six crew members were later presumed lost after extensive search efforts yielded no additional results.
Officials confirmed that seven people were aboard the vessel at the time of the incident, revising earlier reports that indicated six.
The seven individuals who perished aboard the Lily Jean are:
- John Paul Rousanidis, 33, of Salem/Peabody, Massachusetts
- Sean Therrien, 44, of Lynn/Peabody, Massachusetts
- Freeman Short, of the Marshfield/Scituate area
- Captain Gus Sanfilippo, a well-known and respected Gloucester fisherman
- Paul Beal Sr., deckhand
- Paul Beal Jr., deckhand and son of Paul Beal Sr.
- Jada Samitt, 22, of Virginia
Jada Samitt, the seventh crew member identified, was serving aboard the vessel in the role of a federal fisheries observer with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). She had recently relocated to Massachusetts to pursue her passion for environmental biology, graduating last year. Family members said joining the Lily Jean crew was her first major professional role at sea and a lifelong dream.
Her aunt, Heather Michaels, described Samitt as a compassionate and driven young woman who deeply respected her captain and dedicated herself fully to her work. “She put her heart and soul into this opportunity,” family members said, noting her commitment to marine conservation and the fishing community.
Officials said the Lily Jean had reported taking on water shortly before contact was lost.
The vessel is now presumed fully submerged.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through Gloucester’s close-knit maritime community.
Ashley Sullivan, a local business owner who knew the vessel’s owner, emphasized the daily risks faced by commercial fishermen. “I hope people really take a moment to understand the sacrifices these men and women make to put food on our tables,” she said. “This is heartbreaking.”
Massachusetts State Senator Bruce Tarr also expressed condolences, highlighting Gloucester’s deep fishing heritage. “Gloucester has a long fishing history, and that history includes tragic loss,” Tarr said. “It appears we are experiencing another of those painful chapters.”
Governor Maura Healey released a statement saying she was “heartbroken over the devastating news out of Gloucester,” adding that her administration has offered full assistance to local officials and the Coast Guard. She extended prayers to the victims’ families and the broader fishing community across Cape Ann and the Commonwealth.
Community members and local businesses have continued to share messages of remembrance and solidarity. Taylor Hunt, a relative of Freeman Short, posted a tribute honoring the crew, writing in part: “The salt has been in our blood for generations… A man is not lost while the sea remembers his name. Fair winds and following seas.”
The Lily Jean had previously been featured on the History Channel series Nor’Easter Men, which documented the dangers and demands of New England’s commercial fishing industry.
While search operations have concluded, the Coast Guard and relevant agencies continue to review the circumstances surrounding the sinking. Officials have stated that further updates will be released as additional information becomes available.
Authorities have urged the public to keep the victims’ families and Gloucester’s fishing community in their thoughts and prayers during this period of profound loss.