The U.S. Army has identified the third crew member who perished in the tragic midair collision over the Potomac River this week, which claimed the lives of 67 people, according to NPR.
Captain Rebecca Lobach, 28, was a native of Durham, North Carolina. A distinguished military graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she was commissioned as an active-duty aviation officer in 2019.
Lobach lost her life alongside fellow Black Hawk pilot Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Eaves, 39, of Great Mills, Maryland, and crew member Staff Sergeant Ryan O’Hara, 28, of Lilburn, Georgia.
Captain Rebecca Lobach’s family initially requested the Army to withhold her name for privacy, an uncommon move in military accidents or combat deaths.
Lobach, who had accumulated 500 flight hours—a standard amount for her experience level—was flying alongside Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Eaves, a seasoned pilot with 1,000 hours, and Staff Sergeant Ryan O’Hara.
Her best friend, First Lieutenant Samantha Brown, an active-duty field artillery officer, described Lobach as brilliant, dedicated, and fiercely competitive. Brown recalled her exceptional physical endurance, noting that she could complete a 12-mile march with a 45-pound pack at a pace surpassing infantry standards.
Her friend, Davis Winkie, from UNC ROTC posted a thoughtful tribute to Lobach.
I’m heartbroken to share that my friend Capt. Rebecca Lobach died in Wednesday evening’s crash near DC’s National Airport.Rebecca was brilliant and fearless, a talented pilot and a PT stud. We trained and commissioned together from @UNCArmyROTC, and we had a lot of fun along… pic.twitter.com/ZaKgWssdSI
— Davis Winkie (@davis_winkie) February 1, 2025
Lobach aspired to deploy in combat as a Black Hawk pilot and ultimately pursue a career in medicine. At the time of the crash, all three soldiers were on a training flight out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia, just south of Washington.
“We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Rebecca. She was a bright star in all our lives,” her family said in a statement per the New York Post.
“Rebecca was a warrior and would not hesitate to defend her country in battle … Rebecca was many things. She was a daughter, sister, partner, and friend. She was a servant, a caregiver, an advocate. Most of all she loved and was loved. Her life was short, but she made a difference in the lives of all who knew her.”
Captain Rebecca Lobach was a highly decorated service member, honored with the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon. Her family noted that she ranked among the top 20% of ROTC cadets nationwide upon graduation.
In addition to her military achievements, Lobach served as a White House social aide during the Biden administration. Just last month, she had the distinguished role of escorting fashion designer Ralph Lauren through the White House when he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, as reported by CBS.
Rest in Peace.