The U.S. military has identified two male pilots killed in the Black Hawk helicopter collision with a commercial jetliner but has chosen to withhold the name of the third crew member, an unusual move in such incidents.
According to the New York Times, the unnamed third crew member was a female pilot, and her family has requested that her identity remain confidential. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth only confirmed that she held the rank of captain.
Typically, the names of U.S. service members killed in peacetime accidents or combat zones are publicly released within 24 hours after their families are notified.
The two male pilots have been identified as:
- Warrant Officer Andrew Eaves, 39, from Great Mills, Maryland
- Sergeant First Class Ryan O’Hara, 28, from Lilburn, Georgia, the Black Hawk crew commander
"At the request of the family, the name of the third service member will not be released at this time. That pilot is also classified as 'DUSTWUN'," the military said in a statement.
"DUSTWUN" stands for "Duty Status—Whereabouts Unknown," a designation used when a service member’s remains have not yet been recovered from the river where the aircraft crashed.
Controversy Surrounding the Incident
It remains unclear why the family of the female pilot has chosen to keep her identity confidential. However, the decision comes amid a political firestorm, as President Donald Trump blamed the Black Hawk crew for the crash that killed 67 people on January 29, even before an official investigation was completed.
The New York Times, citing sources close to the investigation, reported that the military helicopter may have been flying too high and outside its authorized flight path when it collided with the American Airlines jetliner.
The issue of the female pilot’s identity is particularly sensitive due to Trump’s remarks linking the accident to military diversity programs, though he provided no evidence to support his claim.
Additionally, Secretary Hegseth has stated that the military has lowered its standards by recruiting women and racial minorities. He echoed Trump’s stance on dismantling diversity initiatives across the government.
Experienced Crew on Training Mission
Despite these political claims, the military has defended the professionalism of the Black Hawk crew.
On January 30, Hegseth confirmed that the helicopter was on a "routine annual nighttime evaluation flight" and was being flown by "a highly experienced crew."
Military officials also confirmed on January 31 that the female pilot was undergoing her annual flight evaluation, with Warrant Officer Eaves serving as her evaluator.
The U.S. Army has emphasized that the Black Hawk crew members were among the best in their field and had extensive experience flying in complex airspaces such as Washington, D.C.
Currently, over 10,000 women serve in combat roles across the U.S. armed forces.
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