Florida-trained pilot killed in mid-air collision over DC remembered by father for his passion for flying | FOX 35 Orlando

Florida-trained pilot killed in mid-air collision over DC remembered by father for his passion for flying

The father of the first officer onboard an American Airlines jet that collided with a military helicopter is speaking to FOX 35 News about the tragic crash over Washington, D.C. on Wednesday night.

What we know:

Timothy Lilley, a former military helicopter pilot, confirmed that his 28-year-old son, Sam Lilley, was one of the two pilots aboard the American Airlines flight that collided with a Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. on approach to Reagan National Airport. 

Timothy, who was in New York for work, initially couldn't believe it was his son's flight. However, after failing to hear from Sam, who always checked in, his worst fears were confirmed.

Samuel Lilly was among those killed when an American Airlines flight collided with a Black Hawk military helicopter in Washington, D.C. [Credit: Timothy Lilly]

Sam took after his father by choosing a career in aviation. The father and son shared a passion for flying, with Sam eventually moving to Daytona Beach in 2019, where Timothy says he began pursuing his pilot’s license at ATP Flight School.

Sam started working with PSA Airlines, part of the American Airlines group, for two years and was close to being promoted to captain. Timothy said his son was the first officer on the doomed flight. 

First Officer Samuel Lilly was among those killed when an American Airlines flight collided with a Black Hawk military helicopter in Washington, D.C. [Credit: Timothy Lilly]

What they're saying:

Timothy says he and his family are still shaken by the tragic incident. He said that initially, he didn't think his son was on the flight.

"I really didn’t think there was any way it was my son," he said. "I started to do the research and realized that was his schedule. To be on that flight."

He described his son as a kind, Christian soul as he raised money for clean water in Africa and was recently engaged to be married. 

"It’s a bitter pill to swallow," said Timothy. "I just have to grieve." 

Samuel Lilly (right) was among those killed when an American Airlines flight collided with a Black Hawk military helicopter in Washington, D.C. [Credit: Timothy Lilly]

Skeeter Little says Sam was one of her classmates.

"He meant a lot to everybody. It wasn’t just me. There’s a group of us that goes through flight school," said Little. "Aviation is a small community." 

Little says the two grew together in flight school, and she remembers the long nights studying with her classmates.

"Oh gosh I mean studying like crazy, reading weather charts when you didn’t want to," said Little. "It’s a grind in flight school."

It was Sam’s energy and joy that Little says she remembers the most.

"If that was a topic Sam liked, he would teach it, and we would all listen because he just had a way of teaching it that you would remember it and there would be a quirky was to it," said Little. "He could tell the same story three different ways, and you would laugh the same."

What we don't know:

Now, Timothy faces an agonizing wait for answers. He described the ordeal of reaching the crash site, navigating roadblocks, and filling out forms at the airport, only to be told to wait for further information.

The Federal Aviation Administration has joined the National Transportation Safety Board in leading the investigation into the collision. As the investigation continues, Timothy's focus remains on seeking clarity about what led to his son's death.

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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by Timothy Lilley, father of Sam Lilley, the ederal Aviation Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board, and FOX 5 Atlanta.

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