Before the tragic DC plane crash, American Eagle pilot Jonathan Campos, 34, shared his excitement about an upcoming family trip. “I spoke to him as he was boarding the plane… He sounded really happy,” said his uncle, John Lane. Campos had planned to join ten family members on a cruise aboard the Icon of the Seas.

Flight 5342, carrying 67 passengers and crew, collided midair with a Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport. Among the victims were Campos, First Officer Samuel Lilley, flight attendants Ian Epstein and Danasia Elder, and several young figure skaters, including Spencer Lane, 16, Brielle Beyer, 12, and Jinna Han, 13.

Campos, who “loved flying,” grew up in Brooklyn, studied at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and trained at Epic Flight Academy. “He did so well… We’re all devastated,” Lane said.

Investigations reveal an air traffic control failure: a controller was left alone due to an early shift departure. Additionally, the Army helicopter deviated from its flight path, flying 300 feet higher than permitted.

The NTSB has recovered the “Black Box” recorders as search efforts continue. “His mother isn’t doing well,” Lane added. “We’re just sick right now.”