Army identifies third service member who perished in helicopter and plane collision

WASHINGTON — On Saturday, the Army made public the name of the third soldier who tragically lost her life on Wednesday due to a collision between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines jet near Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National Airport.

Captain Rebecca M. Lobach, originally from Durham, North Carolina, had been serving as an Army aviation officer since July 2019. Her commendable service earned her prestigious awards, including an Army commendation medal and an achievement medal.

In a statement released by the Army, her family shared that she had distinguished herself as a military graduate in the ROTC program at the University of North Carolina, ranking in the top 20% of cadets nationwide. They mentioned that Captain Lobach had accumulated over 450 flight hours and received “certification as a pilot-in-command after undergoing rigorous evaluations conducted by the most senior and experienced pilots in her battalion.”

Her family also highlighted her role as a certified advocate for sexual harassment and assault response and prevention, expressing her aspirations to pursue a career in medicine upon leaving the Army.

The family expressed their deep sorrow, stating, “We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Rebecca. She was a bright star in all our lives. She was kind, generous, brilliant, funny, ambitious, and strong. No one dreamed bigger or worked harder to achieve her goals.” They requested privacy during this difficult time, saying, “We ask that you please respect our privacy as we mourn this unimaginable loss.”

The identities of the other two soldiers involved in the incident were disclosed on Friday, though Captain Lobach’s name had been withheld at her family’s request. The other victims included Staff Sergeant Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28, from Lilburn, Georgia, who served as the crew chief, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, of Great Mills, Maryland, who was the pilot.

While the Army has not provided a detailed explanation for the delay in revealing Captain Lobach’s name, the investigation into the circumstances of the crash is just beginning. In light of the incident, President Donald Trump has publicly attributed blame to the helicopter for allegedly flying at an excessively high altitude. He has also criticized a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) diversity hiring initiative, particularly regarding air traffic controllers, arguing that it compromises flight safety.

To date, there has been no evidence linking the FAA’s diversity initiatives to the crash that occurred.