Posted on February 2, 2025
The aviation world is grieving the loss of Jonathan Campos, one of the pilots aboard the American Airlines flight that tragically collided with a U.S. Army helicopter on January 29. Before the accident, Campos had shared a heartfelt conversation with his family, unaware of the fate that awaited him.
Campos’ uncle, John Lane, remembered him as “such a good kid” and recounted their last conversation. “We talked for about ten minutes while he was checking in for the flight. He sounded so happy and excited. It’s hard to accept that he’s gone,” Lane said. Campos had been looking forward to a family cruise aboard the Icon of the Seas, with ten relatives planning to join him in Florida for the trip.
From a young age, Campos dreamed of flying. He collected toy airplanes and worked tirelessly to achieve his goal of piloting large aircraft. His dedication led him to graduate from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2015 with a degree in Aeronautical Science. His aunt, Beverly Lane, shared that Campos had always longed for the freedom of the skies, describing his passion as a desire to “fly and soar like a bird.”
Campos was not only a talented pilot but also a certified flight instructor, respected by his peers and students. His love for aviation was infectious, and his loss has left a void in the hearts of those who knew him. The PSA Airlines community, where Campos worked, expressed their condolences, saying, “Jonathan was an incredible pilot and a beloved member of our team. Our hearts go out to his family and all those affected by this tragedy.”
The crash also took the life of co-pilot Sam Lilley, a 29-year-old who had been with American Airlines for two years and was close to becoming a captain. Lilley’s father, a retired military helicopter pilot, was devastated by the news, struggling to come to terms with the loss.
So far, 40 victims have been recovered from the Potomac River, where the plane crashed. The recovery mission has been complicated by the freezing temperatures and icy waters. As the families and the aviation community grieve, they remember the lives lost and the dreams that were tragically cut short.
