Childhood friends who were returning from an annual hunting trip in Kansas tragically lost their lives together on the American Airlines jet that went down over Washington, it has emerged.
Michael Stovall, Steve Johnson, Jonathan Boyd, Jesse Pitcher and Tommy Clagett have been named as being among the 64 victims who lost their lives on Flight 5342 on Wednesday night.
Two other men who took part in the hunting holiday, who have not so far been named, are also believed to have lost their lives in the crash.
The cousin of one of the men said they had been on a ‘boy’s trip,’ with Stovall, Pitcher and others in the group having known each other since childhood.
The American Airlines jet collided mid-air with an army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac river as it approached Reagan National Airport just before 9pm, with none of those on board the aircraft surviving.
Stovall’s mother Christina said that her ‘only solitude is knowing they did what they loved this week.’
Fowl Plains, the Kansas-based company which organized the duck hunt, confirmed that a group of seven hunters who had joined them on the expedition died in the crash.
They described the men as being like ‘family’ and said that they’d had ‘the privilege’ of hunting together over the last few years.
The hunting firm said that three other men who had joined them on the hunt had not boarded the flight, instead driving home, adding their thoughts were with the surviving members of the group.
The men reportedly opted to drive rather than buy an American Airlines ticket because it was easier for them to transport their hunting dogs and shotguns by car than by plane.
Stovall, who is from Maryland, was said to be flying with at least six of his friends, some of whom he’s known since childhood.
His mother Christina said that he was an amazing son and father.
‘Mikey did not have one enemy,’ she told WINK News. ‘He loved everybody. He’s the happiest person. He saw good in everybody, almost to a fault.’
Stovall and Clagett are understood to have coached at local kids’ soccer clubs in Maryland.
Waldorf Soccer Club was among those which paid tribute on Facebook, saying: ‘We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of life in last night’s incident near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
‘We mourn the loss of all those aboard, including Coach Tommy and Coach Mikey from our community.
‘Our thoughts are with those that are impacted by this. We are grateful for all the first responders for their heroic efforts in responding to this tragedy.’
Clagett shared his passion for soccer with his two young daughters, who played for the local soccer club in Charles county, the youth soccer group in the area said in a statement.
‘We lost Tommy, a coach and father of two of our players, and our thoughts are with his family,’ the statement from La Plata Youth Soccer Association and FC Charles 1658.
‘He was a constant supporter, always cheering his teams on and his daughters. The entire Charles County community, including our soccer clubs, will rally around his family and everyone impacted by this terrible event.’
His daughter’s soccer team and friends set up a meal train to support the family ‘as they grieve the tragic loss of a wonderful husband and father’.
Stovall and Johnson both worked as steamfitters in Maryland, with the United Association labor union confirming that five of its members died in the crash.
Pitcher was the owner of a plumbing business and was in the process of building a new home with his wife, Kylie, who he married just over a year ago.
‘He was just getting started with life,’ his father, Jameson Pitcher told The Times.
After the death of his mother aged 13, Pitcher became protective of his two sisters, who his father said are ‘devastated’ by his loss.
Robin Cox, Pitcher’s aunt, said the crash has had a ‘huge, huge impact’ on their tight-knit Southern Maryland community, and that he had known some of his hunting buddies since childhood.
She added that her nephew had done ‘really well’ with his plumbing career and that he was ‘really was in his prime’.
Pitcher’s friend, Brandon Turner, posted a tribute on Facebook, writing: ‘Boy oh boy what a ride it’s been! Such a shame it had to end so soon. Jesse J Pitcher you were without a doubt a true friend.
‘Always down for an adventure. You will always hold a special place in my heart always and forever. Until we meet again you will be on my mind. Here’s to your greatest adventure yet. I love you my friend.’
Tributes were also paid to Johnson, a keen fisherman and hunter from Waldorf.
Megan Davey, a friend who grew up with Johnson and some of the other victims, told WJLA of the profound impact that their loss has had on the community.
‘It’s gonna be a shock to the community, they were all very close from what I know. I know at least one of them is a huge staple of the community with his fishing and hunting,’ she said.
‘It’s a real loss and it’s gonna be tough, especially with their younger families. It’s something that you just don’t expect to hear coming out of a town in southern Maryland.’
