DURHAM, NC – A tragic mid-air collision near Washington, D.C., has shaken the Durham community, as one of the victims, Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach, was a UNC-Chapel Hill graduate and U.S. Army aviation officer. Lobach, 28, was identified as one of three crew members aboard a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter that collided with an American Airlines regional jet on January 29, 2025.
A Life of Service Cut Short
Capt. Lobach was an aviation officer assigned to the 12th Aviation Battalion at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. A distinguished graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill’s ROTC program, she was known for her dedication to service and had aspirations of becoming a physician after completing her military career.
“She was incredibly passionate about serving her country, and she had a deep desire to help people,” said a former classmate from UNC. “She always talked about wanting to pursue medicine after the military.”
Lobach’s dedication was evident throughout her military career. She received multiple commendations, including the Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal, and was respected among her peers for her work ethic, leadership, and kindness.
The Tragic Collision
The collision occurred when the Black Hawk helicopter co-piloted by Lobach unexpectedly intersected the flight path of an American Airlines CRJ700 jet near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. All 67 people aboard both aircraft perished in the accident.
Preliminary reports from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) suggest the helicopter may have been flying above its designated altitude, leading to the fatal impact. However, the full investigation remains ongoing.
“We are reviewing all available flight data and communications to determine what went wrong,” said an NTSB spokesperson.
Nationwide Support for the Families
Following the crash, support for the families of the victims has come from across the country. One organization, Running 4 Heroes Inc., has dedicated an Honor Mile Roll Call to Capt. Lobach, recognizing her service and sacrifice.
Additionally, Running 4 Alec, an Arizona-based nonprofit that supports families of fallen military members, is raising funds to assist Lobach’s family as well as the families of the two other crew members lost in the crash.
“We know the pain these families are feeling because we’ve been through it ourselves,” said Alec Langen, the organization’s founder, whose own son died in a military helicopter crash. “We want to ensure that they have the support they need during this difficult time.”
Donations for the families are being accepted through February 7, and an event is being planned in North Carolina this April to honor Lobach’s memory.
A Legacy That Lives On
As Durham mourns the loss of Capt. Rebecca Lobach, the community reflects on her commitment to service and her aspirations to heal others.
“She gave her all to everything she did,” said a family friend. “She had so much more to accomplish, and it breaks our hearts that her life was cut short.”
The investigation into the D.C. helicopter crash continues, with military and civilian aviation officials working to understand how the tragedy unfolded.
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