Great Mills Soldier Among Victims in Deadly DC Mid-Air Collision

SOUTHERN MARYLAND – The U.S. Army has identified Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, of Great Mills, Maryland, as one of the three soldiers involved in the tragic mid-air collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on January 29, 2025. The UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from the 12th Aviation Battalion, Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, collided with an American Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet during a training mission. The crash resulted in 67 fatalities, including all crew members and passengers on both aircraft.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Eaves, whose remains have not yet been recovered, is currently listed as Duty Status-Whereabouts Unknown (DUSTWUN). He served in the U.S. Navy from August 2007 to September 2017 before transitioning to a UH-60 pilot in the regular Army. His commendations include multiple Army and Navy Achievement Medals, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and the Army Aviator Badge.

Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28, of Lilburn, Georgia, has also been identified among the deceased. The name of the third soldier involved has not been released at the request of the family.

Maj. Gen. Trevor J. Bredenkamp, commander of Joint Task Force – National Capital Region/U.S. Army Military District of Washington, expressed condolences, stating, “Our deepest condolences go out to all the families and friends impacted during this tragedy, and we will support them through this difficult time.” He emphasized the Army’s commitment to assisting in recovery efforts and cooperating fully with investigative agencies to determine the cause of the incident.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the U.S. Army are conducting a thorough investigation into the collision. Preliminary findings are expected within 30 days, with a comprehensive report anticipated in about a year.

This tragic event has deeply affected the Southern Maryland community, where Chief Warrant Officer 2 Eaves was a respected resident. Support services are being offered to the families of all victims as the investigation continues.