Family of pilot from aeroplane crash in US that resulted in 64 fatalities shares his last words

• The final words of the pilot of the American Airlines jet that crashed and killed 64 people have been released
• Jonathan Campos expressed excitement about an upcoming family cruise just before boarding the flight
• The collision with an army helicopter over the Potomac River is the worst US aviation crash in 16 years

The final words of Jonathan Campos, the pilot of the doomed American Airlines jet that crashed and killed 64 people, have been released.

34-year-old Campos had expressed his excitement about an upcoming family cruise as he boarded the plane before the devastating crash.

The family of Jonathan Campos, the pilot of the American Airlines jet that crashed near Washington, release his final words. Photo credit: FG trade via Getty Images
Source: Getty Images

His tearful uncle, John Lane, shared these final words during an interview from his home in Brooklyn, New York.

Family of jet pilot share his last moments

Lane recounted that Campos was 'living his dream' as a pilot and had always been passionate about flying, even playing with toy planes as a child.

The late pilot was described to DailyMail as 'a good kid'.

"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. 10 family members were going to fly to Florida to take the trip with him. It was going to be a big celebration."

Emergency response units searched the crash site of the American Airlines plane on the Potomac River after the plane crashed. Photo credit: Win McNamee
Source: Getty Images

What happened to Flight 5342 near DC?

Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, carrying 67 passengers and crew, collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter 400 feet above the Potomac River as it was approaching Reagan National Airport just before 9pm on January 29, 2025.

The collision resulted in a fireball. Among the dead were Campos, First Officer Samuel Lilley - who was newly engaged and months away from being promoted to captain, and flight attendants Ian Epstein and Danasia Elder.

Jonathan Campos' family share their grief

Lane shared that Campos' mother had left her home nearby and was currently in Washington D.C. to make arrangements for his body to return home.

Campos, who lived in Orlando with his girlfriend, loved playing basketball and football.

He grew up in a small apartment in Coney Island, Brooklyn, and attended Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University in New Jersey, where he studied Aeronautical Science before graduating in 2015.

The college expressed its condolences, stating, 'Our thoughts are with his family and the families and loved ones of all impacted by this tragic accident'.

Investigation and recovery into DC air crash continue

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has since recovered the 'Black Box' recorders from both aircraft involved in the crash, which is named the worst aviation disaster in the US in 16 years.

More than 40 bodies have been pulled from the icy waters, with police divers still searching. Among the casualties were American figure skaters Spencer Lane (16), Jinna Han (13) and Brielle Beyer (12).

Airplane collides with helicopter on air

Legit.ng previously reported that an American Airlines flight collided mid-air with a helicopter close to Washington D.C. on January 29, 2025.

The jet was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members from Wichita, Kansas, while the helicopter had three US Army soldiers on board.

Approximately 300 emergency responders were deployed, with divers and boats searching the Potomac under windy and dark conditions.

Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.

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Source: Legit.ng