Seven of the 67 people killed in the horror collision between an and Army helicopter were members of the two flight crews.

Authorities confirmed on Thursday that after the two aircraft plummeted into the Potomac River in 's deadliest aviation disaster since 2001. At least 40 bodies have been pulled from the icy waters of the Potomac River river in as recovery missions continue.

Among those dead were seven members of the two flight crews, including ' first officer Sam Lilley, 29, who is said to have been excelling in his career and personal life, and was engaged to be married later this year. He died along with the captain of the flight, Jonathan Campos, 34, flight attendant Danasia Elder, who was decribed as being "full of life".

Two of the soldiers aboard the Black Hawk helicopter, which was out on a training at the time, have also been identified. Ryan O'Hara was described as "the most committed, disciplined person" with "such great integrity", and Andrew Eaves, from the small town of Brooksville in eastern Mississippi.

Here is what we know so far about some members of the two flight crews:

Sam Lilley

Sam Lilley knew he wanted to fly and began training to be a pilot, like his father, straight after college. Lilley’s dad, Timothy Lilley, told WAGA-TV in Atlanta that he was in Washington waiting for answers. “This is undoubtedly the worst day of my life,” said Timothy Lilley, who also is a longtime pilot and served as a US Army helicopter pilot for 20 years, noting he flew similar routes in and out of the Pentagon.

“I was so proud when Sam became a pilot,” he wrote on . “Now it hurts so bad I can’t even cry myself to sleep. I know I’ll see him again but my heart is breaking.” He added that his son was excelling in his career and personal life at the time of his death and was engaged to be married later this year.

Sam Lilley graduated in 2018 with a degree in marketing but decided to become a pilot, and was an active member of Coastal Community Christian Church. A local news story from 2011 highlighted his efforts to raise money to build a water well in a Zambian village.

Sells, his friend from college, said there was no one better suited to be a pilot. “There was no one that cared more. There was no one that was more passionate,” Sells said, saying Lilley valued “taking care of people and them putting their trust in him.”

Outside the plane, Lilley was devoted to making others happy and the type of person who always was the first onto a dance floor, Sells said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen that man in a bad mood, spreading negativity,” Sells said. “He was the type of person where if someone was not having a good time or someone was upset, he would do everything in his power to pull them out of it.”

Jonathan Campos

Jonathan Campos, 34, was the captain of the American Airlines flight, according to multiple media reports. He graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida, in 2015 where he studied Aeronautical Science

His aunt, Beverly Lane, told the New York Times that Campos had wanted to be a pilot since the age of 3. “I think he wanted to be free, and be able to fly and soar like a bird,” Lane said.

She said she spoke with Campos just before the fatal crash on Wednesday, and he told her he was looking forward to an upcoming Caribbean cruise with family.

Danasia Elder

Married mum-of-two Danasia Elder was a flight attendant on the commercial flight, WSOC-TV in Charlotte, North Carolina, reported. Her brother-in-law, Brandon Payne, said she was “full of life,” highlighting her love for God, her kids and travel. She tragically leaves behind her two children, Kayden and Dallas.

“She was a great wife, a great parent, a great friend,” Payne told the news station. “She was very bright, very smart. She was an entrepreneur. This flight attendant thing was kind of like one of her dreams she wanted to do.” Payne said he is proud of his sister-in-law for pursuing her dream.

“She would want y’all do the same thing she did. Chase your dreams, no matter what. Don’t let nothing scare you, push you away. Just believe in yourself, believe in God, and follow the path,” Payne said.

Ryan O'Hara

Ryan O'Hara was one of three soldiers aboard the Black Hawk helicopter. “Ryan was just the most committed, disciplined person I remember working with,” said Josh Muehlendorf, a senior instructor pilot in the U.S. Army. “He had such great integrity.”

The two made multiple flights together on the same route years before to tragedy, and O’Hara took rules and procedures seriously, according to Mehlendorf. “Ryan was one of those crew chiefs who always had our back,” he said. “It’s really hard to stomach a guy as professional and excellent as he was.”

Andrew Eaves

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said on the social platform X that the state was mourning the death of Andrew Eaves, who was also aboard the Army helicopter. Eaves was from the small town of Brooksville in eastern Mississippi, Reeves said. His wife Carrie Eaves confirmed he was on the helicopter in a Facebook post Thursday.

“We ask that you pray for our family and friends and for all the other families that are suffering today. We ask for peace while we grieve,” the post read. She also asked that people refrain from posting negative comments on social media.

“These families children do not need to suffer more pain,” she wrote.