Parents of pilot killed in DC plane crash praise Trump’s modernization of air traffic control system – Washington Examiner
The parents of Sam Lilley, an American Airlines pilot who died in a tragic plane crash involving a Black Hawk helicopter and a passenger jet, have expressed their gratitude to President Donald Trump for his efforts to modernize the air traffic control system.During an interview on Fox News, Tim Lilley, Sam’s father, stated that improving the air traffic control system aims to prevent similar tragedies in the future, helping other families avoid the pain they experienced after losing their son. The crash on January 29 resulted in the deaths of 67 people. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently announced plans to replace outdated infrastructure to enhance safety and improve air travel. The Lilley family is encouraged by Duffy’s leadership and the collaboration with industry leaders aimed at addressing these urgent issues. Tim Lilley, an Army aviation veteran, remembered his son fondly, noting his promising career was cut short tragically.
Parents of pilot killed in DC plane crash praise Trump’s modernization of air traffic control system
The parents of Sam Lilley, the American Airlines pilot killed in the Potomac plane crash, praised the modernization of the nation’s air traffic control system under President Donald Trump.
“I just really want to thank President Trump for his leadership in putting forth this program because we want to really make sure that no other family has to go through the loss that our family and the other 66 families have gone through,” Tim Lilley, Sam Lilley’s father, said, during and appearance with his wife on Fox news’s Fox & Friends.
The Jan. 29 crash occurred when a Black Hawk helicopter on a training mission collided with an American Airlines passenger jet carrying 64 people, resulting in the deaths of 67 people.
On Thursday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a comprehensive plan to replace decades-old infrastructure to boost safety, support future air travel, and cut delays.
“We have been so encouraged by the urgency that Secretary Duffy is bringing to this situation,” Sheri Lilley, Sam Lilley’s stepmother, said. “I was in D.C. yesterday at the press conference, and I was encouraged by that coalition that he’s brought together of industry leaders, trade associations, you know, executives from major aircraft manufacturers.”
“I was just floored by the ability that he has had to pull together such a diverse group of people who all share the same goal.”
Tim Lilley is an Army aviation veteran and pilot with decades of experience and said his son was a “terrific man” at the “prime” of his life.
“He was engaged to be married. He was about to make captain. Everybody loved Sam,” he said. “It’s left a huge hole in our family. We take solace in knowing that Sam’s name was written in the book.”
“He’s flying now on wings of glory.”
Tim Lilley also said he spoke frequently with his son about flights into Reagan National Airport.
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“He didn’t spend a lot of time in an air traffic control tower or at the trade. So, he probably didn’t realize just how outdated the system was,” he said. “I’ve been flying in and out of the New York area for the last few days, and we’ve been delayed every single day because the system just can’t keep up with what’s going on.”
“This thing was designed decades and decades ago, and, I’ll tell you, Secretary Duffy, he gets it. We met with him just a few days after the accident. Everything we asked for, he’s taking action on.”
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