A pilot of the American Airlines plane told his family how much he was looking forward to being together on a cruise next week in his final words as he boarded the aircraft that crashed in Washington DC.
Jonathan Campos’ final words were revealed by his heartbroken uncle, John Lane, speaking at his home in Brooklyn, New York. He said that the 34-year-old was ‘living his dream’ working as a pilot and had even played with toy planes when he was a boy.
Investigators are seeking clues into this week’s deadly midair collision, the deadliest aviation disaster in the US in almost a quarter of a century.
The collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army helicopter at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport near Washington, D.C, late Wednesday killed 67 people, including more than a dozen figure skaters.
More than 40 bodies have been recovered. Air crash investigations can take months – or longer. Investigators have declined to publicly speculate on the cause of the collision.
Speaking about Mr Campos, his uncle told how he would have been going soon on a cruise with his family. “He was such a good kid,” Mr Lane told the Mail. “I spoke to him as he was boarding the plane. We spoke for 10 minutes. I can’t believe it. He sounded really happy. He was looking forward to going on a cruise next week on the Icon of the Seas, the cruise ship. Ten family members were going to fly to Florida to take the trip with him. It was going to be a big celebration.”
Mr Campos graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida, in 2015 where he studied Aeronautical Science. His aunt, Beverly Lane, told the New York Times that Mr Campos had wanted to be a pilot since the age of three. “I think he wanted to be free, and be able to fly and soar like a bird,” Ms Lane said.
Seven of the 67 people killed in the horror collision between an American Airlines plane and Army helicopter were members of the two flight crews. As well as Mr Campos on the American Airlines plane, also named was first officer Sam Lilley, 29, who is said to have been excelling in his career and personal life, and was engaged to be married later this year. Flight attendant Danasia Elder, a mum-of-two, who was described as being “full of life” in tributes also died in the tragedy.
The area over the Potomac River and near Reagan National is now off-limits to most helicopters to ensure safety in the aftermath of the crash, the FAA said. Exceptions include aircraft for medical emergencies, active law enforcement and air defense. Marine One, the presidential helicopter, is also exempt.
The restrictions are expected to continue at least until the National Transportation Safety Board finishes its preliminary report, expected within 30 days. Two of the three main runways at the airport remain closed because of the crash and recovery effort.
Terry Liercke, vice president and manager at Reagan National Airport, said 100 flights were cancelled Friday. The runways are closed to prevent planes from flying over the crash site while taking off or landing. Liercke said they will likely remain closed for about a week, but that will be reassessed as the recovery effort continues.
