Ryan O’Hara, a father from Georgia, was the crew chief aboard the Black Hawk helicopter involved in the deadly mid-air collision with an American Airlines flight on Wednesday night. O’Hara, one of three Army soldiers on a training flight, was among the 67 people killed in the crash, the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster since 2009. The victims included skaters, coaches, families, and children from a local Virginia school district.
O’Hara leaves behind a wife and a one-year-old son. He was remembered fondly by his school, where he was a beloved member of the rifle team. The cause of the crash is under investigation, but President Trump suggested the helicopter pilots should have had better visibility. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth mentioned an “elevation issue” is being looked into.
First responders confirmed there were no survivors, and the operation has shifted to recovery. The Black Hawk was assigned to Bravo Company of the 12th Aviation Battalion from Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The crash occurred just before 9 p.m. near Reagan National Airport, when Flight 5342 collided with the helicopter 400 feet above the Potomac River.
The victims also included flight attendants and pilots from the American Airlines flight. Surveillance footage captured the moment of impact.