India, Jan. 31 -- The father of the pilot of the American Airlines passenger flight which collided midair with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter was looking forward to marrying this year.

Sam Lilley was among the 67 people who are believed to have died in the aviation tragedy which occurred in Washington DC on Wednesday.

In an emotional Facebook post, Tim Lilley said: "I was so proud when Sam became a pilot. Now it hurts so bad I can't even cry myself to sleep. I know I'll see him again but my heart is breaking. He was doing great in his career and his personal life."

"He was engaged to get married in the fall," he wrote on Facebook.

He further said: "Sam was the First Officer on the flight that crashed in DC last night. "

He said he f...