WASHINGTON – The U.S. Army has identified the soldiers aboard the Black Hawk helicopter that collided with an American Airlines jet Wednesday night near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Who were the soldiers killed in the DC plane crash?
Andrew Loyd Eaves:
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, a 39-year-old helicopter pilot from Great Mills, Maryland, was one of the soldiers who lost their lives.
Search efforts are still underway for Eaves and another missing crew member.
For Eaves, military service was a lifelong commitment.
He spent 10 years in the U.S. Navy before transitioning to the Army in 2017 to become a UH-60 pilot.
Throughout his career, he earned multiple commendations, including the Army Commendation Medal (three times), the Navy Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, and the Navy Achievement Medal (three times).
He was known for his skill, leadership, and dedication to his fellow soldiers. O’Hara, an experienced helicopter repairer, had served in the Army since 2014 and deployed to Afghanistan in 2017.
His awards include the Army Commendation Medal with “C” Device for combat service, the Army Achievement Medal (four times), and the Senior Aviation Badge. His expertise kept Black Hawks mission-ready, ensuring pilots like Eaves could complete their missions safely.
Ryan Austin O’Hara:
Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28, of Lilburn, Georgia, is presumed dead, pending official identification.
Unnamed soldier:
The third soldier, whose name has not been released at the family’s request, is also listed as duty status whereabouts unknown (DUSTWUN).
The backstory:
The soldiers were part of the 12th Aviation Battalion at Davison Army Airfield in Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
They were on a nighttime training mission when their UH-60 Black Hawk collided midair with an American Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet around 9 p.m.
First responders honor victims of DCA plane crash
First responders honor the flag draped remains of an unidentified victim recovered after an American Airlines jet collided with an Army helicopter at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C.
The cause of the crash is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Army.
“Our deepest condolences go out to all the families and friends impacted during this tragedy,” said Maj. Gen. Trevor J. Bredenkamp, commander of Joint Task Force – National Capital Region/U.S. Army Military District of Washington in a statement. “We will support them through this difficult time.”
“Our top priority is to assist in the recovery efforts while fully cooperating with investigators to determine the cause of this tragic incident,” Bredenkamp added.
Both men were more than soldiers. They were sons, friends, and brothers in arms, dedicated to their mission and their country. Their military family is now left grappling with their sudden loss, even as search and recovery efforts continue.
The Source: The information in this story comes from the U.S. Army.
