The shocking mid-air collision over Washington, D.C. has claimed the lives of several individuals aboard an American Eagle jet, including Captain Jonathan Campos, 34, and First Officer Samuel Lilley, 28. This tragic accident involved a collision between an American Eagle plane and a Black Hawk helicopter.

Among those experiencing profound loss is Timothy Lilley, father of First Officer Samuel Lilley. Timothy, who is also a pilot, was in New York when he received the heartbreaking call confirming his son’s presence in the doomed cockpit.

Timothy Lilley, grieving his young son’s untimely departure, shared his emotional agony with FOX 5 Atlanta, describing it as the most difficult day of his life.

Samuel, who was recently engaged, was looking forward to a bright future both personally and professionally. Samuel’s fiancée and family are now dealing with crushing grief, as they had been joyously anticipating the wedding.

Recalling the moment he realized the tragedy involved his son, Timothy said, “I saw the crash on the news. Initially, I thought there was no way it involved him. But as details emerged, I started to fear the worst.”

Timothy reached out to Samuel’s fiancée to confirm the devastating news, which was a heart-wrenching experience for everyone involved. “I held up for a bit, but then I broke down. The pain is just overwhelming,” Timothy shared.

In the shadow of such sorrow, Timothy finds some comfort in his son’s faith, drawing strength from the belief that Samuel had a relationship with Jesus. “His faith gives us some peace, but the absence is deeply felt by all who knew and loved him,” he said.

Captain Jonathan Campos was another cherished individual lost in the crash. Originally from New York, Campos grew up in Florida, where a passion for aviation blossomed from a young age.

Campos pursued his dream at the Epic Flight Academy, becoming a certified flight instructor in 2017. His dedication and hard work culminated in achieving the status of commercial airline pilot a year later, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

Jonathan Campos’s family is reeling from the unexpected shock of his passing. His uncle Hector Campos expressed the family’s grief, stating they are in complete disbelief as they cope with the emotive news.

Both families continue to mourn these beloved individuals whose lives were dedicated to the skies and whose stories have touched many. The profound loss felt by the families, friends, and colleagues is immeasurable, as they struggle to come to terms with this tragedy.