
The skies over Washington, D.C. were filled with heartbreak on the evening of January 29, following a tragic midair collision. American Airlines Flight 5342, on its approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, met with disaster when it collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. This catastrophic event claimed the lives of all 64 individuals on the plane and left three soldiers aboard the helicopter feared dead.
Among those lost was 28-year-old Sam Lilley, one of the pilots of the ill-fated flight. His father, Timothy Lilley, devastated by the news, took to social media to express his grief and pride for his son. “It hurts so bad I can’t even cry myself to sleep,” Timothy wrote in a poignant Facebook post after learning about the disaster.
A Father’s Worst Nightmare
Timothy, a former military helicopter pilot himself, had shared a passion for flying with his son Sam. With aspirations in the aviation field, Sam had dedicated himself to becoming a pilot in 2019, and was working with PSA Airlines, a regional branch under American Airlines, for two years. A bright future seemed ahead, brightened by his engagement, as he was set to marry later that year.
On the night of the accident, Timothy was away in New York for work duties. Unaware of his son’s presence on the aircraft, he didn’t immediately connect the headline news with his own family tragedy. “Last night when I saw on Fox News there was a crash in DC, I really didn’t think there was any way that was my son,” he recounted. The silence that followed, with Sam not reaching out as usual, confirmed his deepest fears.
A Heartfelt Tribute
Grieving yet proud, Timothy poured his heart into a social media post capturing his loss and love. Accompanying a photo of Sam in front of an Advanced Pilot Training aircraft, he wrote, “I was so proud when Sam became a pilot. Now it hurts so bad I can’t even cry myself to sleep. I know I’ll see him again but my heart is breaking.”
Sam’s career and personal life seemed to stride hand in hand into a promising future. “He was engaged to get married in the fall,” Timothy shared. The post resonated far and wide, eliciting an outpouring of condolences and support, not only from friends and family but also from strangers, equally touched by his loss.
Responses poured in with heartfelt condolences. “My heart goes out to you Tim,” wrote one well-wisher. Another expressed, “My heart aches for you and Sheri and the whole family.”
Finding Peace Amidst Grief
Praise for Sam as a pilot and individual shone through the messages. A friend noted, “Knowing he was your son, I would have boarded any plane he was in command of and not thought twice about it.” Despite these kind words, Timothy struggles to find solace in what has happened.
With decades of experience in military aviation, Timothy couldn’t ignore the unsettling circumstances surrounding the crash. “In the ’90s, I used to fly in and out of the Pentagon regularly,” he explained. Navigating the skies could be a complex challenge especially over the Potomac using night vision goggles, but “if you’re not wearing the goggles, then you might have a chance,” he said.
Reflecting on the accident, Timothy lamented, “From what I can see, those guys turned right into the jet.” He drew on his understanding to conclude, “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 National Transportation Safety Board, alongside the Federal Aviation Administration, is now deep into investigating the cause of this tragic event.
Our heartfelt thoughts go out to all the families grieving this catastrophe. May we all remember to hold our loved ones close, cherishing every moment as we navigate the skies of our own lives.