In remembrance of Capt. Jonathan J. Campos, the pilot of the aircraft involved in the fatal midair crash, friends and family are sharing tales of his humor, love of flying, and commitment.
All 67 persons on board both planes were killed when Campos’ American Eagle flight from Kansas collided with an Army helicopter over the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport on Wednesday.
Hector Campos, his uncle, told NBC News in a quick phone interview on Thursday that his nephew “was a great kid”. “That s all I want to say.”
In an interview with Telemundo Puerto Rico, NBC’s sister station in the U.S. territory, Campos’ stepmother, Sonia Carrasquillo, requested privacy on behalf of the family.
Hector Campos said the family was traveling on Friday to Washington, D.C.
Reporter Catherine Silver of Orlando, Florida’s WKMG said to viewers Thursday that she had a brief conversation with Campos’ girlfriend, who wished to remain anonymous. The girlfriend stated she couldn’t believe Campos was gone, calling him the “love of her life” for the previous ten years. “I will talk more about him later,” she said.
On his father’s side, Campos, 34, was Puerto Rican. According to Telemundo Puerto Rico, he was born on the US mainland and resided in Puerto Rico until he was ten years old.
Campos attended Embry-Riddle aviation University in Florida to study aviation science. According to a statement from the university, Campos graduated in 2015.
“Embry Riddle Aeronautical University is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Captain Jonathan Campos,” the statement states. “Our thoughts are with his family and the families and loved ones of all impacted by this tragic accident.”
Mike Marana, a classmate of Campos, shared a picture of Campos at a Cracker Barrel with a small dish of stiff grits upside down on Facebook, citing it as his “top college memory” of the man.
“He called the waitress and said, ‘Ma’am, I think there’s something wrong with THIS,'” As he recalled Campos, Marana said.
“15 years since the last major US air carrier loss, and of course the Captain had to be someone you knew,” Marana’s post continues. “Any of us could have been involved. Be careful, fellow pilots.
‘Skilled and dedicated’
Campos trained other pilots once he became a pilot himself. Campos received his certification as a flying teacher from Epic flying Academy, who posted their condolences on Facebook on Thursday.
As stated in the post, “We are heartbroken,” “Jonathan was a valuable flight teacher here and obtained his Certified Flight teacher rating with us. He had an indisputable love for flying and was a competent and committed pilot.
The message goes on to say: “Jonathan’s family, friends, and everyone else who died or was affected by this terrible event have our sincerest sympathies. During this extremely trying time, you are in our prayers and thoughts.
According to a neighbor of Campos in Ormond Beach, Florida, who recently dined at his house and enjoyed the Thai food his wife prepared, “Joni,” as he called him, was “a good guy” who assisted neighbors with auto repairs, the Daytona Beach-News Journal reported.
The neighbor remarked, “It’s just sad.” The neighbor told the newspaper, “I thought of Joni as soon as they identified the aircraft on the news.”
According to the Florida-based scuba diving company, Campos also earned his Master Divers certification at Spruce Creek Scuba in 2013 while he was a student.
We regret to inform you of the passing of a wonderful diver and friend who perished yesterday on the unfortunate American Airlines flight in Washington, according to a Facebook statement from Spruce Creek Scuba. He became a skilled pilot and served as an American Airlines captain. Prayers for you and your family, our friend. Rest in peace.
The cause of the collision that killed Campos and 66 other people is being looked into by the National Transportation Safety Board.
A single air traffic controller was unusually managing both planes and helicopters in the vicinity at the time of the incident, an investigator told NBC News. Investigators retrieved two black boxes containing flight data recorders from the American Eagle aircraft on Thursday evening.
The flight number of the airplane is being decommissioned.
According to a statement released by American Airlines on Friday, flight AA5342 will not be utilized on any upcoming flights.
American Airlines owns and runs the American Eagle network of regional airlines.