Army Names Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach as Helicopter Co-Pilot Tragically Lost in D.C. Crash

"Army Names Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach as Helicopter Co-Pilot Lost in D.C. Crash"

The Army identified Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach, 28, as the third crew member killed in last week's Black Hawk helicopter crash over Washington.

Emily Johnson3 hours agoLast Update : 3 hours ago

Army Identifies Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach as Helicopter Co-Pilot Killed in D.C. Crash

www.nytimes.com

The Army has identified Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach, 28, as the co-pilot of a Black Hawk helicopter that collided with a commercial jet over Washington last week. The incident resulted in the deaths of three Army personnel, including Capt. Lobach, who was from Durham, N.C.

6 Key Takeaways

Third crew member identified as Capt. Rebecca Lobach
Family requested privacy regarding her identity
President Trump blamed diversity for the crash
Investigators still determining cause of disaster
Captain Lobach had over 450 flight hours
She was undergoing annual evaluation flight

Initially, her name was withheld at the family’s request for privacy. The crash is under investigation, with ongoing discussions regarding its causes and factors contributing to the tragedy.

Fast Answer: The Army confirmed that Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach died in a Black Hawk helicopter crash over Washington last week. She was 28 years old and served as co-pilot during an evaluation flight when the collision occurred with a commercial jet. Two other soldiers also lost their lives in this tragic incident.

The crash involving the Black Hawk helicopter took place during an annual evaluation flight on January 27, 2025. Capt. Lobach had joined the Army in January 2019 after graduating from R.O.T.C. at the University of North Carolina. With over 450 flight hours logged, she held certification as a pilot in command.

Alongside Capt. Lobach were Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Lloyd Eaves and Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, both of whom also perished in the incident. Eaves served as her evaluator during the flight.

Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach: Co-pilot; age 28; from Durham, N.C.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Lloyd Eaves: Evaluator; age 39; from Great Mills, Md.
Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara: Crew member; age 28; from Lilburn, Ga.

The Army’s decision to initially withhold Captain Lobach’s identity stemmed from sensitivity surrounding family privacy requests amid speculation about diversity being linked to the crash by some public figures without evidence.

This incident highlights ongoing concerns about aviation safety and operational protocols within military training environments as investigations continue to determine what led to this tragic event.

Notice: Canadian readers should be aware that similar military aviation incidents can raise questions about safety regulations and training standards applicable to armed forces across different countries.

The identification of Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach marks a somber moment for her family and colleagues as they mourn her loss alongside those of Chief Warrant Officer Eaves and Staff Sgt. O’Hara following this tragic accident over Washington skies.