DAYTONA BEACH — Jonathan Jay Campos of Ormond Beach was one of the American Airlines pilots in the Washington, D.C., crash over the Potomac River Wednesday night.
Campos was the captain of American Airlines Flight 5342, which went down in a tragic midair collision with a military helicopter about 400 feet above the river near Reagan Washington National Airport. The crash killed 67 people, and the bodies of dozens of passengers have been recovered.
It’s not clear if the Ormond Beach address listed on Campos’ FAA license was a fulltime home or possibly a second home. Some records indicate he lived there from February 2013 until November last year.
One of Campos’ neighbors, who didn’t want his name used, said Campos had lived at the address for about 10 years, beginning around the same time the 34-year-old graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
“Joni was a good guy,” the neighbor said.
In addition to being a pilot, Campos was also a mechanic and sometimes helped his neighbors fix their cars.
The neighbor said Campos was based out of Charlotte, North Carolina, and was very familiar with Reagan National Airport.
“It’s just sad,” the neighbor said. “As soon as they identified the aircraft on the news, I thought of Joni.”
The neighbor, a Vietnam vet, said he and Campos would spend time together as he loved Thai food.
“Just two weeks ago, he came over because my wife is Thai, and he loved Thai food,” he said.
Records show Campos studied at Embry-Riddle beginning in 2011. An Embry-Riddle spokesperson said Campos received his pilot certificates at Embry-Riddle and his instructor certification at Epic Flight Academy in New Smyrna Beach.
“We are heartbroken to learn that Jonathan Campos was a pilot aboard the PSA Airlines flight involved in the tragic accident last night in Washington, D.C.,” reads a statement on Epic Flight Academy’s Facebook page. “Jonathan earned his Certified Flight Instructor rating with us and served as a valued flight instructor here. He was a skilled and dedicated pilot with an undeniable passion for flying. Our deepest condolences go out to Jonathan’s family, friends, and all those who lost their lives or were impacted by this devastating tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this incredibly difficult time.”
On Thursday afternoon, Embry-Riddle confirmed Campos was a student there, and graduated in 2015.
“Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Captain Jonathan Campos (Aeronautical Science,’15),” Sarah Barczyk, the university’s vice president for communications, wrote in a short statement. “Our thoughts are with his family and the families and loved ones of all impacted by this tragic accident.”
Other records suggest Campos was a commercial airline transport pilot with an FAA pilot record ID number, and also had a mechanic’s license and was a flight instructor.
