Georgia Pilot Sam Lilley Laid to Rest After Tragic D.C. Plane Crash
Savannah, GA – Family and friends gathered to say their final goodbyes to Sam Lilley, a Georgia pilot who tragically lost his life in a midair collision near Washington, D.C. The public memorial service was held at the Georgia Southern Savannah Campus Fine Arts Center over the weekend.
The crash, which occurred on January 29, 2025, involved an American Airlines passenger jet and a Black Hawk Army helicopter. It claimed the lives of everyone aboard both aircraft, marking one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent U.S. history.
Remembering Sam Lilley
Sam Lilley, just 28 years old, had recently earned his certification to fly commercial planes. He had logged the required 1,500 flight hours and achieved his dream of becoming a pilot two years ago. He was engaged to be married this fall, and according to those who knew him, his life was just beginning to take shape.
Lilley’s father, Timothy Lilley, a former military helicopter pilot, shared heartbreaking details about the loss of his son. “When I saw the news about the crash, I never thought it could involve Sam,” he said. Unfortunately, after not hearing from Sam, Timothy’s worst fears were confirmed.
Lilley’s childhood friend, Shane Therault, described him as a man with big dreams and a clear path ahead. “He wanted to start a family and was looking forward to his future,” Therault said.
Last week, PSA Airlines honored Sam Lilley with a posthumous promotion to honorary captain, recognizing his outstanding skills, professionalism, and dedication to safety in aviation.
The Deadly Crash: What Went Wrong
The crash occurred near Reagan National Airport, with an FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) report indicating that an air traffic controller had alerted the helicopter about the plane’s proximity. Despite the warning, the collision occurred as the helicopter was directed to pass behind the jet.
The crash has drawn comparisons to the 2001 Queens, New York plane crash, where a jet accident killed 260 people. It is also the first deadly U.S. airline crash since February 2009.
Audio recordings from Lilley’s plane reveal that the pilots made efforts to avoid the collision, but the impact was ultimately unavoidable. Investigators are now reviewing flight data and audio recordings from both aircraft to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Father’s Push for Change
Following the tragedy, Timothy Lilley is calling for stricter aviation regulations to prevent such accidents in the future. He is urging Congress and the military to implement measures like:
- Restricting military flight operations at civilian airports.
- Improving pilot training for military personnel.
- Mandating that all aircraft flying in shared airspace have an operational Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS).
Timothy highlighted how aviation safety laws are often enacted only after tragic events. “Most regulations are written in blood,” he said. “This crash should be a wake-up call for us to act before more lives are lost.”
The Army has reportedly shown interest in Lilley’s recommendations, and he plans to testify in front of Congress to advocate for these changes.
Honoring Sam’s Legacy
The aviation community and those close to Lilley are determined to keep his memory alive while pushing for safer skies. His tragic story has sparked conversations about enhancing safety measures and preventing future crashes.
As the investigation continues, Sam Lilley’s family hopes that his story will lead to meaningful change in the aviation industry.
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