A father is devastated after his 28-year-old son, Sam Lilley, lost his life in a plane crash near Washington, D.C., on January 29. Sam, a talented pilot with American Airlines, was involved in a collision with a military helicopter, leaving his family, friends, and colleagues in shock over the sudden loss of such a promising young man.

Timothy Lilley, Sam’s father and a former military pilot, expressed his deep grief while highlighting his son’s passion for aviation. Just days before the tragedy, Sam was planning his future with his fiancée, which adds to the heartbreak. The community mourns alongside the Lilley family, remembering Sam not only as an exceptional pilot but also as a kind-hearted individual whose legacy will live on in the hearts of many.