The U.S. Army has identified Captain Rebecca M. Lobach, 28, as the third pilot aboard the H-60 Black Hawk helicopter that collided with an American Airlines CRJ-700 passenger jet near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday. The crash killed all 67 people on board both aircraft.
Who Was Captain Rebecca Lobach?
Lobach, from Durham, North Carolina, was a distinguished military graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she ranked in the top 20% of cadets nationwide. She served as an aviation officer from 2019 until 2025, achieving the rank of Captain. Lobach had over 450 flight hours and was a certified pilot-in-command. She had previously worked as a White House aide during the Biden administration.
Her family described her as “kind, generous, brilliant, funny, ambitious, and strong.” Her military colleagues called her an exceptional leader and a dedicated patriot.
Details of the Crash
The collision occurred as American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, was preparing to land. The Black Hawk helicopter, part of a routine training exercise, flew into the path of the jet, causing a mid-air fireball before both aircraft plunged into the Potomac River.
The other two crew members on the helicopter were:
• Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Eaves, the instructor pilot with over 1,000 flight hours.
• Staff Sergeant Ryan O’Hara, the crew chief, who left behind a wife and a one-year-old son.
All 64 passengers and crew on the American Airlines flight also perished.
Investigation and Response
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the crash, focusing on:
• The actions of the Black Hawk pilots and whether they followed proper altitude regulations.
• Air traffic control communication leading up to the collision.
• Possible mechanical failures or environmental factors.
Both black boxes (cockpit voice and flight data recorders) have been recovered. Officials expect the investigation to take at least a year, though a preliminary report is expected within 30 days.
Tributes and Aftermath
Military colleagues and friends mourned the loss, with First Lt. Samantha Brown and Second Lt. Lexi Freas recalling how Lobach’s mentorship inspired others to pursue aviation careers.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump controversially weighed in, blaming the helicopter crew for flying too high, while military experts maintain that the pilots were experienced and familiar with the congested airspace around Washington, D.C.
The tragic crash marks one of the deadliest U.S. aviation disasters since 2001, raising concerns about air traffic safety and military training near civilian flight paths. Investigators continue their efforts to determine the exact cause of the catastrophic collision.
