Before the tragic crash of American Airlines Flight 5342, Captain Jonathan Campos, 34, expressed his excitement about an upcoming family cruise. His uncle, John Lane, recalled their last conversation, where Campos sounded happy and eager for the trip with family. Tragically, the flight collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter near the Potomac River, killing all aboard, including Campos and First Officer Samuel Lilley.
Campos, who had always dreamed of flying, had played with toy planes as a child and was living his dream as a pilot. He had studied aeronautical science at Embry-Riddle and had worked at Epic Flight Academy. His family, devastated by the loss, recalled how proud they were of his accomplishments.
The crash also killed several others, including young figure skaters, a civil rights lawyer, and a family returning from the US Figure Skating Championships. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause, with early reports pointing to staffing issues at air traffic control and potential deviation by the Army chopper from its flight path.