CINCINNATI (WXIX/Gray News) – An Ohio woman who was killed when an American Airlines flight collided with an Army helicopter near Washington D.C. died on her birthday, according to loved ones.
The family of Elizabeth Keys confirmed she was on the plane from Wichita, Kansas that went down Wednesday night.
In a statement, the family said she passed away on her 33rd birthday.
“Words cannot express how deeply Elizabeth, my Bitsy, will be missed. We are filled with unbearable sorrow and despair at our loss,” the family wrote.
Keys was a 2010 graduate of Madeira High School where she was valedictorian before graduating from Tufts University in 2014.
“A 2014 graduate of Tufts University, Liz sailed all four years on the varsity team and made many lifelong friends there. In 2020, Liz graduated from Georgetown University Law Center, where she received her JD,” the statement said.
Her family said Keys worked for Wilkinson Stekloff in Washington, D.C.
She is survived by her parents, Martin and Mary Keys, and “the love of her life, David Seidman, and their Yorkie, Tucker,” the statement said.
“This is just a snapshot of Elizabeth’s life, which was rich and full of beloved family and friends. She loved deeply and was deeply loved. Liz was a warm, generous woman. She was so fun—and funny! Liz had a sharp wit and appreciated it in others. Gatherings were always better when Liz was there; she was filled with light and joy. Liz was a dear friend to so many, offering her best self to them all. Her hugs were wonderful!”
The full statement continues, saying, “Elizabeth was strong and fearless—she embraced life at full speed. Liz was always surrounded by friends on her ski trips out West, where she described skiing as ‘flying,’ and frequently visited her favorite place, Hawaii, to hike and relax on the beach. Every weekend was full: Liz and David especially loved hosting their friends around their fire pit at their home in DC.”
Keys was among 67 people killed in what is described by officials as the worst aviation disaster in nearly a quarter century.
There were 60 passengers and four crew members on the American Airlines jet and three soldiers onboard the helicopter.
The jet was attempting to land at Reagan National Airport when it collided with the helicopter, which officials said was on a training mission.
The crash, which happened in one of the busiest airspaces in the nation, is now being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board as a cause is being determined.
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