A father is grieving the loss of his 28-year-old son, who tragically passed away in a plane crash.
The young pilot shared his father’s love for flying and was set to marry soon.
Sam Lilley was one of the two pilots on the American Airlines flight that collided with a military helicopter near Reagan National Airport on the evening of January 29.
His father, Timothy Lilley, a former military helicopter pilot, is heartbroken over his son’s death.
Timothy was on a work trip in New York when he first heard the news about the crash in Washington, D.C. Initially, he dismissed the idea that his son might be involved, but as hours went by without word from Sam—who always kept in touch—his worry turned into despair.
“This is certainly the worst day of my life,” Timothy said after learning that his son was on the flight and had lost his life. He expressed his grief through a touching message on Facebook: “Sam was the First Officer on the flight that crashed in DC last night. It is so devastating to lose someone who was so deeply loved.”
Timothy, an Army helicopter veteran with 20 years of service, shared a profound bond with his son through their mutual love of aviation. Sam began his flight training in 2019 and had been a pilot with PSA Airlines, a branch of American Airlines, for two years.
He earned a marketing degree from Georgia Southern University in 2018 before committing himself fully to flying. Timothy noted that Sam initially pursued a marketing career post-graduation but soon discovered that his true passion lay in aviation. His father said Sam worked hard to turn his dream into reality.
In addition to his career aspirations, Sam was looking forward to marrying his fiancée in the fall. As Timothy processes his grief, he finds comfort in reflecting on Sam’s achievements, saying, “I was so proud when Sam became a pilot. Now it hurts so much that I can’t even cry myself to sleep. I know I will see him again, but my heart is shattered.”
When asked what he wanted people to remember about Sam, Timothy described him tearfully as a cheerful and kind individual who embraced life. He emphasized that Sam was always willing to help others and lived out his Christian faith through acts of kindness.
Sam’s friend and fellow pilot, Skeeter Little, will always treasure their memories together. “He had a smile every single day. He had the best jokes,” Skeeter recalled. During their flight school days, Sam’s vibrant personality and humor made their experience enjoyable, including the delicious lunches he used to prepare.
“Sam’s greatest wish was to be a pilot, just like his dad. We’re all striving toward the same goal—to become pilots,” a mournful Skeeter pointed out. He described the aviation community as tightly knit, with everyone playing a part in ensuring safe flight operations.
Sam was an integral part of this supportive community, having devoted his life to aviation and achieving his goal of becoming a First Officer at American Airlines—a dream he had long cherished. Now, the aviation industry is mourning the loss of one of its members.
Colleagues and airline personnel took to social media to share touching tributes. Skeeter expressed his sentiments, saying, “Thoughts to all the families. Prayers. Hug your loved ones. Tragic things happen, and we must remember that. Clear skies and tailwinds.”
The PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet that Sam was piloting was en route from Wichita, Kansas, when it collided with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while approaching Runway 33 at Reagan Washington International Airport. Both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River.
Georgia House Majority Caucus Whip James Burchett (R-Waycross) shared his sympathies for the families affected. He mentioned that as investigations proceed, families will soon have clarity regarding the cause of the accident and potential measures to avoid future tragedies.
Thanks to his background as a helicopter pilot, Sam’s father understands the intricacies involved in aerial operations. Timothy is also aware of the difficulties associated with navigating the Potomac River, especially at night, having flown in and out of the Pentagon in the 1990s.
He explained how flying with night vision goggles considerably limits visibility, making it challenging to see other aircraft. “Without the goggles, you stand a better chance,” he noted.
From his perspective, Timothy believes the PSA aircraft was following all proper protocols, while the military helicopter made a fatal mistake. “Based on what I can see, they turned right into the jet. The PSA crew was doing everything correctly. The Army pilot committed a serious error. It pains me because those are my comrades, and now my son is gone,” Timothy shared.
U.S. President Donald Trump also provided an update on the tragic accident, remarking that the search and rescue effort has now shifted to a recovery operation with no survivors. He commended the responders for using every available resource during the emergency.
He promised support for families impacted by the crash, pledging to uncover the truth behind this disaster. “We do not have answers yet about what caused this crash, but we have strong theories. We will find out how this tragedy occurred and will work to ensure nothing like this happens again,” he said.
As of the report’s publication, authorities had recovered at least 40 bodies from the Potomac River. Furthermore, the flight’s black boxes were retrieved, which will be vital for the ongoing investigations.
