John Lane, Campos’ grieving uncle, characterized the pilot as “such a good kid.” “I spoke with him as he boarded the plane. We spoke for ten minutes. I can’t believe this. “He sounded very happy,” Lane said. “He was excited to go on a cruise next week on the Icon of the Seas. Ten family members planned to go to Florida to accompany him on the trip. It was going to be a huge party.”

“He enjoyed flying; it was his dream. “He was living his dream. Lane said that as a child, he used to play with toy airplanes. He wished to qualify to fly larger planes. We are just unwell right now. His mother is not doing well. Campos graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida in 2015, where he studied Aeronautical Science.

“I think he wanted to be free, and able to fly and soar like a bird,” his aunt, Beverly Lane, told The New York Times.The Academy paid tribute to Campos. “We are devastated to learn that Jonathan Campos was a pilot on the PSA Airlines flight involved in the sad tragedy last night in Washington, D.C. Jonathan obtained his Certified flying Instructor rating with us and was a valuable flying instructor here.”

“He was a proficient and devoted pilot with an undeniable enthusiasm for flying. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Jonathan’s family, friends, and everyone who died or was affected by this tragic event. “Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this extremely difficult time.” The father of the other pilot aboard the plane, Sam Lilley, who crashed and plummeted into the Potomac River, said he didn’t believe his son was involved in the disaster until he heard there was a catastrophe.

Lilley, 29, who was months away from being promoted to captain, had worked for American Airlines for two years. He followed in his father’s footsteps, who had spent 20 years serving in the army as a helicopter pilot. According to accounts, there have been 40 dead discovered so far. The mission was tough due to the river’s freezing waters.