Plane Crash Victim's Brother Speaks Out and Says the Tragedy Taught Him to Live Each Day Like 'My Last' (Exclusive)
- - Plane Crash Victim's Brother Speaks Out and Says the Tragedy Taught Him to Live Each Day Like 'My Last' (Exclusive)
Dawn KlavonJanuary 30, 2026 at 5:15 AM
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Chris Collins of Stamford, Conn., was one of 67 people killed exactly one year ago when American Airlines Flight 5342 went down in the Potomac River outside Washington, D.C., after being hit by a Black Hawk Army helicopter.
On the first anniversary of his death, Collins’ family is remembering a man whose life was defined by curiosity, kindness and a deep love for the world around him.
“He’s lost, but he’s not forgotten,” says his older brother, Matt Collins. “He’s talked about every day, and he’s loved dearly.”
Chris Collins
Courtesy the Collins family
Chris Collins (right) with family
Courtesy the Collins family
At 42, Chris was a devoted husband to wife Jen, a caring son, a supportive brother, and a thoughtful uncle.
The University of Massachusetts and Brown University graduate worked at Moody’s Ratings — as did another crash victim, Melissa Nicandri – and had a passion for reading, learning, animals and cherished moments hiking, walking in the woods or sitting on the beach with a book.
He regularly volunteered at his local Lucky Dog Refuge.
“He was a very giving person who would do anything for anyone,” says Matt. “He always put others first.”
Matt says it was the small moments that made life with Chris so special: humorous messages and conversations about family, work and life.
Chris Collins
Courtesy the Collins family
“What I really miss about him is all just the random texts,” Matt tells PEOPLE. “It never seemed to fail; whenever I was having a bad day or something was up in my life, I'd get this totally inappropriate text message that would just brighten my day.”
Born and raised in Massachusetts, Chris shared a devotion to the New England Patriots with family and friends, through both the highs and lows of the team’s seasons.
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Chris Collins
Courtesy the Collins family
Matt says that during the team’s last game this season, when the Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos on their way to Super Bowl LX, he felt Chris’ absence keenly.
He couldn’t help but constantly check his phone as though, somehow, he’d find a text from his brother waiting there. “Normally, we’re messaging back and forth the whole game,” Matt says.
“My brother was 42 years old — that's way too short on this planet to live,” he says.
Chris Collins
Courtesy the Collins family
“If you have a chance to do something that you've always wanted to do, do it because you don't know what the future holds,” Matt says.
And in honor of his brother, he is taking his own advice.
“I booked a trip — I’m going to the Super Bowl [this year],” he says. “I’m living each day like it might be my last.”
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
