A Central Florida pilot and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University graduate was among the victims of a devastating midair collision Wednesday involving an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army helicopter near Washington, D.C. The crash claimed the lives of all 67 individuals on board both aircraft, according to authorities and the flight academy where the pilot trained.
Captain Jonathan Campos, 34, of Ormond Beach, was a pilot aboard PSA Airlines Flight 5342 when it collided with a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan National Airport. Campos had earned his Certified Flight Instructor rating at Epic Flight Academy, which operates flight schools nationwide, including in New Smyrna Beach.
“We are heartbroken to learn that Jonathan Campos was a pilot aboard the PSA Airlines flight involved in the tragic accident last night in Washington, D.C.,” Epic Flight Academy said in a statement posted on social media. “Jonathan earned his Certified Flight Instructor rating with us and served as a valued flight instructor here. He was a skilled and dedicated pilot with an undeniable passion for flying. Our deepest condolences go out to Jonathan’s family, friends, and all those who lost their lives or were impacted by this devastating tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this incredibly difficult time.”
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where Campos graduated with a degree in Aeronautical Science in 2015, also expressed its condolences.
“Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Captain Jonathan Campos,” the university stated. “Our thoughts are with his family and the families and loved ones of all impacted by this tragic accident.”
Campos, an experienced aviator, was also a certified helicopter pilot and aviation mechanic, according to Federal Aviation Administration records.
A Catastrophic Collision
The collision occurred just before 9 p.m. EST in one of the most closely monitored airspaces in the world, only about three miles south of the White House and the Capitol. All 64 people aboard the American Airlines Bombardier CRJ-701 jet and three soldiers in the Blackhawk helicopter perished.
At least 28 bodies were recovered from the icy waters of the Potomac River following the crash. The commercial aircraft, which was inbound from Wichita, Kansas, was found upside down in three sections in waist-deep water. Images from the scene showed rescue boats surrounding the wreckage, with parts of the plane’s fuselage submerged.
Officials have not yet determined the cause of the collision, though flight conditions were reportedly clear. The FAA confirmed that air traffic controllers had been communicating with both aircraft in the minutes leading up to the crash. The jet had been cleared to land on Runway 33 at Reagan National Airport just moments before impact.
According to flight data, the CRJ-701 was at an altitude of approximately 400 feet and traveling at 140 mph when it suddenly lost altitude over the river. Less than 30 seconds before the crash, an air traffic controller asked the Blackhawk crew if they had the commercial jet in sight. Another transmission directed the helicopter to pass behind the jet. Moments later, the two aircraft collided, and the jet’s transponder stopped transmitting about 2,400 feet short of the runway.
National Response
President Donald Trump addressed the nation in a White House news conference following the disaster, leading a moment of silence for the victims. “This is an hour of anguish for our country,” he said.
If no survivors are found, the crash will mark the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster since 2001. Authorities, including the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration, have launched an investigation into the incident.
As the search for answers continues, the aviation community mourns the loss of Captain Campos and all those affected by the devastating accident. Tributes have poured in from colleagues, friends, and fellow pilots, reflecting on Campos’ dedication to flying and his contributions to the industry.