67 Dead in DC Midair Collision Involving Army Helicopter, American Airlines Flight

Captain Rebecca M. Lobach, a 28-year-old aviation officer from Durham, North Carolina, has been identified as one of the three soldiers who died in a mid-air collision between a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines flight near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The incident, which occurred on January 29, resulted in the tragic loss of all 67 individuals aboard both aircraft. Lobach, who had served in the Army since July 2019 and was assigned to the 12th Aviation Battalion, was remembered by her family as a bright star, ambitious, and strong. The U.S. Army expressed its condolences to the families affected by this devastating accident and is supporting the ongoing investigations. The collision has raised concerns regarding the safety of military training operations in proximity to commercial air traffic. As investigations continue, the Army aims to provide further updates while mourning the loss of its soldiers.