Family of pilot killed in DCA plane crash supports plan to reform the FAA
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) – The family of a pilot killed in the DCA plane crash said they support a plan to reform the Federal Aviation Administration.
'What we want to make sure here is … nobody else has to go through this ever again,' said Tim Lilley, father of 28-year-old Sam Lilley.
Sam Lilley was a co-pilot of American Eagle Flight 5342.
He and 66 other people were killed when a military helicopter collided with the plane, sending both into the Potomac River.
'Sam was a phenomenal person. He had a very magnetic personality. I can't imagine that anyone who ever met him felt they had enough time with him, that's really the enduring feeling our entire family has,' said Sherri Lilley, Sam's mother.
Federal Aviation Administration to increase oversight, evaluate arrival rates at DCA following deadly midair collision
Both Tim and Sherri Lilley attended a House Appropriations Committee hearing Wednesday, where Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy testified about his plans to reform the Federal Aviation Administration.
'Everyone in America flies; this is not partisan,' said Duffy.
Duffy believes Congress is receptive to his plan, which includes replacing antiquated telecommunications with new fiber, wireless and satellite technologies; replacing 618 radars; and addressing runway safety, among other things.
The price tag to do all this is still unclear, but estimates are in the billions.
'I think (members of Congress) all realized how old and antiquated the system is. It's starting to show its cracks. They want a plan they can get behind and they want to build it. I think we've laid that out of them,' said Duffy.
New York Times report reveals critical mistakes made ahead of deadly DCA midair collision; aviation litigator weighs in
The Lilley family is on board with the changes.
'This is what we need to upgrade this whole system and what Duffy is doing, it's not going to happen overnight. We're going to get it done in a really quick manner,' said Tim Lilley.
The Lilley family said it's now their mission to get this plan passed.
'(Sam) was very strong and resilient. He had great character, and this is really how we honor him,' said Sherri Lilley. 'If we did not follow through on this mission, we feel like we'd be letting him down. We feel like everything we're doing is motivated by his memory.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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