Dad of Soldier Killed in D.C. Crash Thanks Responders Who Recovered Body

The father of one of the soldiers on the Black Hawk helicopter that collided with an American Airlines flight is remembering his son.

As investigators continue to release new information about the crash, including the helicopter’s movement in the air, Gary O’Hara, father of Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, spoke to CBS News about his son’s fellow crew members, calling them “probably the most respected pilots that Ryan had ever flown with.”

“He trusted them with his life,” Gary added.

Ryan, 28, was one of three soldiers who died in the crash, which also claimed the lives of an additional 64 people. The other soldiers have been identified as Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves and Capt. Rebecca Lobach. 

During the interview, Gary went on to slam claims that the government’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies as well as the mental health of employees were at fault for the crash.

“You have to earn your spot to be moved into the ladder to be put into that helicopter. They don’t just give it to you,” he said. “All of those soldiers that protect us, they earn their stripes every single day,”

The Army previously said that Ryan, of Lilburn, Georgia, served as a UH-60 helicopter repairer (15T) in the Army from July 2014.

He was deployed to Afghanistan from March 2017 to August 2017 and his awards include the Army Commendation Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star; NATO Medal; Aviation Badge; and Senior Aviation Badge.

Speaking with CBS News, his dad said that Ryan had a wife and a 1-year-old son.

Looking back to the night of the crash, Gary said that as soon as he learned what happened, he texted his son, but the message didn’t go through. His son’s wife then called to say she was growing increasingly worried, although the family didn’t know for sure until Army soldiers arrived at her home the following morning.

“It’s really like your worst nightmare,” Gary said. “Sixty seconds earlier or later, there’s no accident.”

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In a separate interview with NBC affiliate WXIA-TV, Gary said that watching footage of his son’s body being recovered was painful, but that he’s grateful to the first responders who have been working around the clock.

“One thing that I did want to say and thank is all those first responders, the people that sacrificed themselves to jump into that ice cold water, to go through the plane and the wreckage that retrieved our son,” Gary said. “There are no words to express our thanks for that. You helped bring our boy home.

The crash is being investigated by the FAA, NTSB and the Army. It is believed to be the deadliest commercial aviation disaster in the U.S. since November 2001, when an American Airlines plane crashed into a New York City harbor killed 265 people.