Father of pilot flying American Airlines Jet who crashed out talking about ‘worst day of my life’

The father of the man who piloted an American Airlines jet who collided with an army helicopter in the middle of the air in Washington has spoken out.

Sam Lilley, 28, was one of two people piloting the flight from Wichita, Kansas, his father Timothy Lilley told Fox 5 Atlanta. All 67 people aboard both aircraft fear being dead, officials say.

The collision happened on Wednesday night as the American Airlines flight fell down against Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The aircraft collided across the Potomac River, where officials are now performing recovery efforts.

“This is arguably the worst day of my life,” Little told Fox 5.

Emergency personnel perform recovery efforts in the Potomac River Thursday. One of the pilots aboard the American Airlines flight has been identified as 28-year-old Sam Lilley
Emergency personnel perform recovery efforts in the Potomac River Thursday. One of the pilots aboard the American Airlines flight has been identified as 28-year-old Sam Lilley (AFP via Getty Images?

Timothy Lilley told the business that his son was engaged to get married and that the family has ties to Savannah in the Georgia area

Little was in New York when he realized his son was in the cockpit at the time of the accident, he told Fox 5. He said his worst fears were confirmed when his Sam never checked in after the flight, as he always does.

Little said he spent Wednesday night at the airport and filled out forms as he waited for answers about his son. He now wants clarity about the events that led to the deadly collision.

Lille himself served as an army helicopter pilot for 20 years and told Fox 5 that he has flown a similar route across the Potomac River.

“I was a helicopter pilot in the army for 20 years,” he said. “In the 90s, I used to fly in and out of the Pentagon regularly, and I can tell you if you fly on the route over Potomac and wearing night vision glasses, it will be very difficult to see that flight.

“From what I can see, these guys turned right into the jet,” he added. “I think PSA Jet did all well.”

“The army pilot made a serious mistake. It hurts me because it’s my brothers and now my son is dead. “

Ian Epstein has been identified by his wife as a flight aboard the American Airlines flight, Queen City News reports.

Epstein’s wife, Debi, told Queen City News that her husband “died and did what he loved.”

Ryan O’Hara was identified as the crew chief of the Blackhawk helicopter, 11Alive reports. O’Hara was also honored by her former high school, ParkView High in Gwinnett County, Georgia.

“It is with a heavy heart that we advertise one of our own. Class in 2014, the former cadet Ryan O’Hara was the herd chief of the black Hauk, who was involved in yesterday’s crash in DC.” School’s Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Program said in a statement according to 11alive

The military helicopter, which was flown by “quite experienced” crew members, conducted “a required annual night evaluation,” said defense secretary Pete Hegeth.

Emergency personnel have recovered at least 28 bodies from Thursday afternoon. All flights in and out of Reagan National Airport also resumed at 1 p.m. 11 Thursday.

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