Peach Tree Times

Georgia House Majority Caucus Whip James Burchett has released a statement regarding the recent mid-air collision at Reagan Washington National Airport. The tragic incident involved a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter and American Airlines flight 5342, which was traveling from Wichita, Kansas to Washington D.C.

Burchett expressed his condolences for the lives lost in the accident, including two Georgians, Ryan O’Hara and Sam Lilley. He stated, “Like all Americans, I mourn the loss of life in this tragic incident that claimed the lives of at least two Georgians, Ryan O’Hara and Sam Lilley.”

He highlighted the personal impact of such tragedies when they affect local communities. “Tragedies like this have an even greater impact on all of us when they hit close to home,” he said.

Sam Lilley hailed from Richmond Hill near Savannah and was an alumnus of Richmond Hill High School and Georgia Southern University. Following his father’s legacy as an aviator, Sam served as the first officer onboard American Airlines Flight 5342. He was engaged to be married.

Ryan O’Hara graduated from Parkview High School in Lilburn in 2014 and served as a Blackhawk Helicopter Crew Chief. He is survived by his wife and one-year-old son.

Burchett emphasized that while investigations will reveal what went wrong and how similar accidents can be prevented in the future, he stands with all Georgians in mourning these losses. “While we will no doubt learn what went wrong and what we can do to prevent accidents like this in the coming weeks, I join all Georgians today in mourning the loss of these two young men and the dozens of others who lost their lives in this tragedy,” he concluded.