Black Hawk pilot in DC collision gets recognized as ex-Biden aide

(MENAFN) Captain Rebecca Lobach, the female pilot of the Black Hawk helicopter involved in a deadly mid-air collision near Washington, DC, last week, has been identified as a former White House social aide under the Biden administration. Lobach, 28, served in the White House, volunteering to support Biden at various events, including medal award ceremonies. Her family confirmed her identity after the US army released her name following the crash, which resulted in the deaths of 67 people.

Lobach, an Aviation officer since 2019, was awarded several medals throughout her service. Before joining the Army, she graduated with a biology degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Despite initial requests from her family to withhold her name, the military proceeded with the identification.

In the crash, which occurred near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, a Bombardier CRJ700 passenger plane operated by PSA Airlines collided with a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter. The crash into the Potomac River claimed the lives of 64 people on the passenger plane and three crew members on the helicopter. The incident has been reported as the deadliest US aviation disaster since 2001.

President Donald Trump attributed the crash to mistakes in the pilot's actions and criticized diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. However, the investigation into the incident is still ongoing, and no concrete conclusions have been drawn yet.

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