First Officer Who Died on Flight 5342 Named Honorary Captain

First Officer Sam Lilley posthumously received the title of captain, PSA Airlines said Sunday. Lilley was one of the four airline crew members killed on board flight 5342 after it crashed on Jan. 29.

He began flight training in 2019 before later joining PSA, a wholly owned regional subsidiary of the American Airlines Group. Lilley had spent two years at the carrier prior to the crash.

According to Fox 5 Atlanta, he was engaged to get married later this year. His father – Tim Lilley – currently flies private jets but was previously a Black Hawk pilot in the Army.

“It is with profound respect and deep appreciation that PSA Airlines posthumously bestows the status of Honorary Captain upon First Officer Samuel Lilley,” the airline said.

National Transportation Safety Board investigators recovered all major pieces of both the Army Black Hawk helicopter and CRJ-700 that collided over the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. All 67 victims have also been recovered and identified.

PSA added that Lilley “exemplified the highest standards of aviation excellence.”

Other Crew Members Honored

The three other crew members on flight 5342 were also honored by the airline, including Capt. Jonathan Campos, flight attendant Danasia Elder, and flight attendant Ian Epstein.

All four crew members will receive PSA’s Honorary President’s Award, the carrier said. This is the highest honor any of the airline’s employees can receive.

“It is a peer-nominated honor and based on the company-wide outpouring of support for our lost colleagues, we cannot think of a more moving or sincere tribute than having all 5,000 PSA team members nominate our fallen colleagues,” the airline stated.

Families of the crew will receive certificates reflecting the award.

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Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

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