American Eagle flight tragedy: Crew names released after fatal midair collision

The names of the crew members on duty during the American Airlines Flight 5342 accident have been released. The incident involved a midair collision, resulting in the presumed deaths of 67 people. The aircraft was a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700, and it collided with a US Army Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter.

The crew members of the American Eagle flight, operated by PSA Airlines from Wichita to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, included Captain Jonathan Campos, First Officer Samuel Lilley, and Flight Attendants Ian Epstein and Danasia Elder. Timothy Lilley, father of First Officer Sam Lilley and a former US Army helicopter pilot, expressed his grief over the loss of his son. He stated that it was "undoubtedly the worst day of my life" and suggested that the military helicopter made a critical error in judgment.

Timothy Lilley further speculated that night vision goggles might have impaired the helicopter pilot's ability to spot the commercial jet. He added that without wearing goggles, there might have been a chance to avoid the collision.