The name of the third soldier who was tragically killed in the recent American Airlines crash has been revealed.
American Airlines Flight 5342 was coming in to land at Ronald Reagen Washington National Airport when it struck a U.S. Army Black Hawk Helicopter on January 29.
The wreckage of both aircraft plunged into the Potomac River and authorities declared that there were no survivors.
As the recovery operations continue, tributes are being paid to those who lost their lives in the tragic incident.
In the Black Hawk helicopter were previously named 28-year-old Ryan O’Hara and 39-year-old Andrew Eaves. Now, the third person has been named.
Cpt. Rebecca M. Lobach, of Durham, North Carolina, was an Army aviation officer who had served since July 2019, per the Independent.
Her military accolades included an Army Commendation Medal and an Army Achievement Medal.
In a statement, Lobach’s family highlighted her academic and professional achievements, noting that she was a distinguished military graduate of the ROTC program at the University of North Carolina and ranked in the top 20% of cadets nationwide.
They also emphasized her extensive flight experience, stating that she had accumulated more than 450 hours of flight time and had earned “certification as a pilot-in-command after extensive testing by the most senior and experienced pilots in her battalion.”
Beyond her aviation career, Lobach was a certified sexual harassment/assault response and prevention victim advocate.
Her family shared that she had aspirations of becoming a physician after completing her military service.
“We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Rebecca. She was a bright star in all our lives. She was kind, generous, brilliant, funny, ambitious and strong. No one dreamed bigger or worked harder to achieve her goals,” the family said in their statement.
They also requested privacy as they mourned her loss.
Lobach’s name was initially withheld at her family’s request.
O’Hara, a Georgia native and graduate of Parkview High School, was identified as one of the Army personnel on the Black Hawk helicopter, per WSBTV.
“Ryan is fondly remembered as a guy who would fix things around the [ROTC] gym as well as a vital member of the Rifle Team,” his high school JROTC program wrote.
While Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves confirmed the death of Eaves, a native of Brooksville, Mississippi.
“Mississippi is mourning the loss of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Eaves,” Reeves wrote. His wife, Carrie, mourned his passing, saying: “We ask for peace while we grieve.”
Our thoughts are with those involved in this tragic incident.
