Pilot family Sam Lilley, who was killed in the DC collision with Midair, calls for security reforms

The family of Sam Lilley, a pilot who was killed in the deadly collision between an American Airlines Jet and a Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, DC at the beginning of this year, pronounces and hopes to make grief in action.

“We [want to] Make sure that no other family has to go through the loss that our family and the other 66 families went through, “said Tim Lilley, Sam's father and a pilot himself.

The January crash nearby Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) claimed the life of all 67 people on board both aircraft. Since the incident, the Lilley family has requested changes to the air security protocols, especially with regard to military and commercial flight coordination near the Pentagon.

Tim Lilley argues that many years of problems at Reagan have contributed nationally from outdated systems to risky methods for tragedy.

Two planes make 'go-outs' to avoid military helicopters near Reagan Washington National Airport

“It only takes a minute to look at the procedure from the Pentagon and know that you should not circle a helicopter east of the Pentagon, while planes, commercial aircraft, are available on the rapprochement with Broadter Reagan,” he said.

Duffy Blast's bidges, buttiv were ignored the report on the failure of air traffic control systems: “Nothing!”

He remembered earlier conversations with his son about the complexity of flying into the area.

“Sam and I spoke a lot about the flights to DCA and Ronald Reagan International and about the associated challenges,” he said.

Your concerns reflect broader problems of the aviation industry. In a report by the New York Times after the crash, the Reagan Control Tower was underrinted, and in a lawsuit it was claimed that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had dismissed qualified air traffic applicants on the basis of the breed.

Tim Lilley also commented on the outdated technology for air traffic control.

“The system simply cannot keep what is going on. This thing was designed decades and decades ago,” he said.

Black Hawk Pilot could not pay attention to flight instructors in a few moments before the aircraft collision about DC: Report

Despite the tragedy, the Lilleys are confident that the efforts will be made to fix what is broken. You credit the transport secretary Sean Duffy for the quick move after the crash.

FAA increase in flight safety staff, superiors at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

“Secretary Duffy, he gets it,” said Tim. “We met him just a few days after the accident. He did everything we asked.

The Ministry of Transport presented a comprehensive three -year framework for the modernization of the country's air traffic control system. The proposal published on Thursday includes improved radar, new telecommunications networks and six new flight control centers across the country.

Crew Recrieve Anallines ALG 5342 in the Potomac River, Washington, DC, January 30, 2025. (Leigh Green for Fox News Digital)

Sam's family thanked for the support of the administration.

“I just really have it [want to] Many thanks to President Trump for his leadership in the introduction of this program, “said Tim, who emphasized that the safety of aviation was not a partisan problem.

“Every family deserves to know that their beloved person is in a commercial airplane, that is [going to] Come there, “said Tim.” This works both sides of the aisle. We are only looking for support from everyone. I think all Americans earn a safe sky. “

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At the beginning of the changes, the Lilley family also says that their attorney is just starting.

“We are there in the long run,” said Sam's stepmother Sheri Lilley. “Tim and I are firmly convinced that we want to make the name Sam Lilley synonymously for the safety of aviation.”