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Topics: US News, American Airlines, Travel, Pilot, Florida
Poppy Bilderbeck
Topics: US News, American Airlines, Travel, Pilot, Florida
The uncle of American Airlines pilot Jonathan Campos has opened up about their last phone conversation as he was 'boarding the plane'.
On Wednesday (January 29) at 8.47pm ET, an American Airlines passenger plane - flight 5342 - and a US military helicopter collided mid-air over the Potomac River, close to the Ronald Reagan National airport in Washington DC.
The passenger plane was carrying 64 passengers and crew and had traveled from Wichita, Kansas, while the army helicopter - a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk carrying three crew - had taken off from Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
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All 64 passengers onboard the passenger plane alongside the helicopter's three crew members are believed dead.
An investigation into the incident was immediately launched by the National Transportation Safety Board which recovered the black boxes from both the aircraft.
Prior to the crash, pilot of the American Airlines plane Jonathan Campos had a phone conversation with his uncle.
In an interview with the MailOnline, Campos' uncle John Lane explained he spoke to his nephew 'for 10 minutes' as he was boarding the plane and he 'sounded really happy'.
He said: "I can't believe it. He sounded really happy. He was looking forward to going on a cruise next week on the Icon of the Seas, the cruise ship.
"Ten family members were going to fly to Florida to take the trip with him. It was going to be a big celebration."
Lane reflected on how it was always Campos' 'dream' to become a pilot and he used to play with 'toy planes' as a child.
Having been to flight school six years ago and doing 'so well with his life', his ambition was eventually to 'qualify to fly bigger planes'.
Campos' uncle noted the rest of the family feel 'sick right now' but resolved how 'proud of him' they are of him and what a 'good kid' he was.
American Airlines issued a statement on the incident which reads: "American Eagle Flight 5342 en-route from Wichita, Kansas (ICT), to Washington, D.C. (DCA) was involved in an accident at DCA. The flight was operated by PSA Airlines with a CRJ-700.
"There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft. Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft. We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts.
"If you believe you may have loved ones on board Flight 5342, call American Airlines toll-free at 800-679-8215. Those calling from outside the U.S. can visit news.aa.com for additional phone numbers. Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands can call 800-679-8215 directly."
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].