Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot Made ‘Grave Error’—Father of Plane Crash Pilot

The father of Sam Lilley, one of the pilots of the American Airlines flight that collided with an Army Black Hawk over Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, has suggested the helicopter pilot made a “grave error” leading to the crash.

Timothy Lilley made the comment during an interview with local network Fox 5 Atlanta.

Newsweek contacted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for comment on Friday via email outside of regular office hours.

Why It Matters

On Wednesday American Eagle Flight No. 5342, a CRJ 700 passenger jet that had flown from Wichita, Kansas, and was coming in to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), collided with an Army Black Hawk on a training mission, with both aircraft then crashing into the Potomac River.

The jet was being operated by PSA Airlines, an American Airlines subsidiary.

There were 60 passengers and four crew members on the PSA Airlines flight and three personnel in the helicopter. Speaking on Thursday, D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said: “We don’t believe there are any survivors.”

What To Know

Speaking to Fox 5 Atlanta former military helicopter pilot Timothy Lilley said: “In the ’90s, I used to fly in and out of the Pentagon regularly, and I can tell you if you are flying on the route over the Potomac and wearing night vision goggles, it’s going to be very hard to see that plane. If you’re not wearing the goggles, then you might have a chance.

“From what I can see, those guys turned right into the jet. I think the PSA jet was doing everything right. The Army pilot made a grave error. It hurts me because those are my brothers, and now my son is dead.”

The crash is currently being investigated by the FAA, in partnership with other agencies, who have yet to say what they believe caused the crash or whether there was pilot error on either the passenger jet or helicopter.

Speaking during a White House briefing on Thursday morning President Donald Trump said authorities “have some pretty good ideas” as to how the disaster happened.

Sam Lilley was confirmed to have been involved in the incident by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, along with fellow Georgian Ryan O’Hara, who local network WUSA 9 identified as one of the helicopter crew.

According to an FAA report obtained by the Associated Press there was only one air traffic controller working at Ronald Reagan National Airport when the crash took place which the agency described as “not normal.”

What People Are Saying

Governor Kemp posted on X, formerly Twitter: “We send our deepest condolences to the families and friends of Ryan O’Hara and Sam Lilley as they navigate this difficult time. Both of these young Georgians shared a passion for flight and for serving others, and this terrible tragedy is that much more difficult knowing their lives were cut so unexpectedly short.”

President Trump suggested the crash could be linked to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, saying: “We have to have our smartest people. It doesn’t matter what they look like, how they speak, who they are, it matters intellect, talent. The word talent. You have to be talented, naturally talented geniuses. You can’t have regular people doing that job.”

Trump’s remarks about DEI were rejected as “despicable” by former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

What Happens Next

The FAA and other agencies will continue investigating Wednesday’s crash with a view to discovering what happened and how a repeat can be avoided. More details about the victims is expected to be released in the coming days.