Who is Ryan Austin O’Hara? Soldier killed in Black Hawk crash

Staff Sergeant Ryan Austin O’Hara was among the three soldiers aboard the Black Hawk helicopter involved in a deadly collision with an American Airlines plane on Wednesday night, the U.S. Army said.

Newsweek reached out to the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region/U.S. Army Military District of Washington for comment via email on Friday.

The Context

The crash claimed the lives of 67 people who were on board both aircraft and has highlighted concerns about air traffic control, aviation safety procedures and challenges that come with navigating shared airspaces near major metropolitan hubs.

American Airlines Flight 5342, which was approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport from Wichita, Kansas, with 60 passengers and four crew on board, collided midair with a Sikorsky UH-60 helicopter on Wednesday, marking the first major aviation disaster in the United States involving a commercial aircraft in over a decade.

What To Know

Three soldiers were aboard the helicopter, two of whom have been identified by the Army, while the third, a pilot, remains unnamed at the family’s request.

Among those onboard was O’Hara, 28, a native of Lilburn, Georgia, who was living in Alexandria, Virginia, according to documents reviewed by Newsweek. He is believed to have died, but the Army is pending identification.

O’Hara was a UH-60 helicopter repairer, having served in the Army since July 2014, graduating from the 2014 class of Parkview Marine Corps JROTC program in Georgia.

According to the Army, he was deployed to Afghanistan from March to August 2017. Later, he was stationed at Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia from 2020 to 2023. Most recently, he worked in Fort Belvoir in Virginia near the nation’s capital.

He has received a slew of accolades from the Army, including the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal x4, Army Good Conduct Medal x3, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Aviation Badge and Senior Aviation Badge.

He is survived by his wife and 1-year-old son.

O’Hara was not the only Georgian on board the impacted aircraft. The first officer on the American Airlines plane, Sam Lilley, 28, was from Savannah, Georgia.

What People Are Saying

Lieutenant Colonel Erika A. Holownia, commander of the 12th Aviation Battalion, in a U.S. Army press release on Friday: “Each of our fallen Soldiers were exceptional leaders and teammates. Their legacy and honorable service to our Nation will forever remain. Their experience and dedication made our unit better, every day. As we mourn this tragic loss, our top priority is supporting their families, friends, and fellow Soldiers. Our thoughts and prayers are also with the families and friends of American Eagle Flight 5342.”

Parkview MCJROTC, in a now-deleted Facebook post, according to Savannah news station WJCL: “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of one of our own. Class of 2014, former cadet Ryan O’Hara was the Crew Chief on the Black Hawk involved in last nights crash in D.C.. Our deepest condolences go out to Gary O’Hara and his entire family. Ryan is fondly remembered as a guy who would fix things around the ROTC gym as well as a vital member of the Rifle Team. Ryan leaves behind a wife and 1 year old son.”

O’Hara’s father, Gary O’Hara, told CBS News on Friday that his son”trusted them [the pilots] with his life.” He also said, “It’s very touching to see the other soldiers saluting as they take him out with a draped flag over it, but to sit there and think that that’s my little boy—it’s crushing.”

Georgia Governor Brain Kemp, on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday: “We send our deepest condolences to the families and friends of Ryan O’Hara and Sam Lilley as they navigate this difficult time. Both of these young Georgians shared a passion for flight and for serving others, and this terrible tragedy is that much more difficult knowing their lives were cut so unexpectedly short. Marty, the girls, and I ask that all Georgians join us in keeping their loved ones in our thoughts and prayers.”

What Happens Next

The investigation into the crash is ongoing, with the identity of the other helicopter pilot likely to be released soon. Details of memorial services have not yet been made public.