A Father's Fight for Justice After Tragedy
Keywords: Tim Lilley, Sam Lilley, Army helicopter crash, PSA jet collision, air safety, Washington National Airport, military leadership, advocacy, grief, justice
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Monday, 28 July 2025
Tim Lilley, a former Army Black Hawk pilot, is on a mission to ensure that the tragic collision between an Army helicopter and a PSA jet in 2023 never happens again. His son, Sam Lilley, was the first officer on Flight 5342 when the disaster occurred. In the aftermath, Tim has become a vocal advocate for improved safety measures in the airspace around Washington National Airport, where the collision took place.
Tim has taken it upon himself to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, analyzing air traffic data, contacting military leaders, and even speaking at air safety conferences. He has highlighted the dangerously close proximity between Army helicopters and commercial planes in the airspace, which he calls 'unacceptable' and 'insane.'
He has also reached out to the families of the three service members who died in the crash, including Gary O’Hara, whose son was the crew chief on the helicopter. Tim has made it clear that he does not blame the service members for the tragedy, but rather the Army leadership for allowing them to train in such a crowded airspace without proper safety measures.
Despite initial encouragement from the Army, Tim's persistent questions and criticisms have led to a cooling of relations. The Army has been accused of 'ghosting' him and refusing to take responsibility for the tragedy. However, Tim remains undeterred, continuing to push for change and justice for his son and the other victims of the crash.
In addition to his advocacy work, Tim has also found solace in his travels, visiting places around the world with his wife, Sheri. He often reflects on his son and the memories they shared, including the time Sam proposed to his fiancée, Lydia Coles, on a rocky cliff in Dublin. Tim has even gotten a tattoo in Sam's honor, a black ribbon bisected by a plane, next to the name of the flight.
Tim's journey has been one of grief, determination, and a relentless pursuit of justice for his son and the other victims of the crash. He continues to speak out, ensuring that the lessons from this tragedy are not forgotten.
