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The tragedy of the plane crash that occurred on January 29 over the Potomac River in Washington D.C. has resulted in 67 fatalities, including the Hispanic pilot Jonathan Jay Campos, who was in command of American Airlines flight 5342.
The American airline revealed the identity of the pilot, a 34-year-old captain originally from New York, who was raised and trained as a pilot in Florida.
Campos had obtained his pilot license in 2017 and had been working for American Airlines since 2018.
She was born in January 1991 in New York but spent most of her life in Ormond Beach, Florida, a small town known for being a family-friendly tourist destination.
Since he was young, Jonathan dreamed of becoming a pilot. At 23, he graduated from the Daytona Beach Aeronautical University and obtained his professional license. His aunt, Beverly Campos, recalled that her nephew always had the dream of flying since he was a child and described his passion for aviation as something that defined his life.
"He was a skilled and dedicated pilot, with a great passion for flying," stated the Academy of New Smyrna Beach, where Jonathan also obtained his qualification as a certified flight instructor. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Jonathan also held certifications to operate single-engine and multi-engine commercial aircraft, as well as some helicopters.
The Campos family expressed their sorrow over this tragedy. His aunt revealed that, since he was a child, Jonathan wished to be free and to fly like a bird, and his career as a pilot was the fulfillment of that dream. The pilot was also certified to operate aircraft manufactured by Bombardier, such as the "Canadair Regional Jet" model, which he used in the ill-fated flight.
Although Campos had limitations when flying in adverse weather conditions, his skill and experience as a pilot were highlighted by those who knew him.
According to the Washington D.C. Police Department, the incident involved a commercial aircraft from American Airlines and a military helicopter from the U.S. Army, which collided in midair when they met in the airspace near Ronald Reagan National Airport.
In the incident, all 60 passengers and four crew members of the plane lost their lives, along with the three occupants of the helicopter.
The accident, the worst in the U.S. in the last decade, has left a profound shock across the nation, as authorities continue to investigate the causes of the collision between the two aircraft.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Air Crash in Washington
What happened in the airplane accident over the Potomac River in Washington?
The plane crash occurred when a commercial American Airlines plane collided in mid-air with a military helicopter of the U.S. Army near Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington D.C., resulting in the death of all 67 occupants of both aircraft. It was the deadliest aviation accident in the U.S. in the last decade.
Who was the pilot of the plane that crashed in Washington?
The pilot of the crashed plane was Jonathan Jay Campos, a 34-year-old Hispanic who lived in Florida. Campos obtained his pilot license in 2017 and had been working for American Airlines since 2018. He was known for his skill and dedication in aviation.
What measures are being taken following the plane crash in Washington?
The authorities, together with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), are investigating the causes of the accident. President Donald Trump has promised to improve the hiring standards for air traffic controllers to ensure safety in the skies of the United States.
What were the weather conditions during the plane crash in Washington?
Despite the favorable weather conditions at the time of the accident, with clear skies and no strong winds, the rescue efforts were complicated by the cold water temperature and the presence of ice sheets in the Potomac River.
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