Timothy Lilley made the comment during an interview with local network Fox 5 Atlanta.
Newsweek contacted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for comment on Friday via email outside of regular office hours.
Why It Matters
On Wednesday American Eagle Flight No. 5342, a CRJ 700 passenger jet that had flown from Wichita, Kansas, and was coming in to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), collided with an Army Black Hawk on a training mission, with both aircraft then crashing into the Potomac River.
The jet was being operated by PSA Airlines, an American Airlines subsidiary.
There were 60 passengers and four crew members on the PSA Airlines flight and three personnel in the helicopter. Speaking on Thursday, D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said: "We don't believe there are any survivors."
What To Know
Speaking to Fox 5 Atlanta former military helicopter pilot Timothy Lilley said: "In the '90s, I used to fly in and out of the Pentagon regularly, and I can tell you if you are flying on the route over the Potomac and wearing night vision goggles, it's going to be very hard to see that plane. If you're not wearing the goggles, then you might have a chance.
"From what I can see, those guys turned right into the jet. I think the PSA jet was doing everything right. The Army pilot made a grave error. It hurts me because those are my brothers, and now my son is dead."
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