Deadly Skies: Chopper And Airliner Crash Claims Third Army Victim

The Army has released the name of the third soldier who died Wednesday when an Army helicopter collided with an American Airlines jet near the D.C. airport. Cpt. Rebecca M. Lobach, of Durham, N.C., served as an Army aviation officer and was one of the three soldiers on board the helicopter at the time of the accident.

According to eyewitnesses, the collision occurred just before 9 pm, and emergency services were quickly called to the scene. Both the helicopter and the American Airlines plane were severely damaged in the crash, with the Army confirming that all three soldiers on the helicopter were killed.

Cpt. Lobach, a 32-year-old native of Durham, had been serving in the Army for over 10 years and was an experienced aviation officer. She had completed multiple tours of duty and had received numerous awards and decorations for her service, including the Army Commendation Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

The American Airlines jet, which was carrying over 100 passengers and crew, managed to make an emergency landing at the D.C. airport, with only a handful of minor injuries reported. An investigation into the cause of the crash is currently underway, with both the Army and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) working to determine the circumstances surrounding the collision.

Friends and family of Cpt. Lobach have been paying tribute to her, describing her as a dedicated and courageous soldier who was passionate about her work. "She was an amazing person, and her love for the Army and her country was inspiring," said one friend. "She will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her."

The crash has raised concerns about the safety of military and civilian air traffic in the Washington D.C. area, with many calling for a review of the current protocols in place to prevent such tragedies. The Army has confirmed that it will be conducting a thorough investigation into the incident, and will work closely with the FAA and other relevant authorities to identify the cause of the crash and take steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.