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.
