Two flight attendants, Ian Epstein and Danasia Elder, along with First Officer Sam Lilley, were on board American Airlines Flight 5342 when it collided with an Army Black Hawk. All three were based out of Charlotte, according to reports.
Epstein, Elder, Lilley, and the planeโs pilot, Captain Jonathan Campos, were working on the flight, which was inbound from Wichita, Kansas, on Wednesday night, carrying 60 passengers. Just moments before landing at Regan National Airport, the aircraft collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter carrying three soldiers, all of whom also perished in the crash.
Ian Epstein
Family and Loved Ones Mourn Loss
Known for his infectious smile and comedic personality, Epstein left a lasting impression on everyone he met. Before becoming a flight attendant, he was a top RV salesperson at Camping World in Concord, North Carolina. His wife, Debi Epstein, shared an emotional message on Facebook, announcing the devastating news:
“It is with a very heavy heart and extreme sadness that myself along with our children, Hannah Epstein and Joanna Epstein, and his sister Robbie Epstein Bloom, her husband Steven Bloom, and nieces Andi and Dani inform you that Ian Epstein was one of the flight attendants on American Airlines Flight 5342 that collided last night when they were landing in D.C. Please pray for Ian and our family as we travel to D.C. We will update when plans are made.”
Epsteinโs family says he pursued a career as a flight attendant to explore the world and connect with people. Those who knew him described him as someone who could brighten any room and bring joy to everyone around him.
Danasia Elder
Danasia Elder’s family described her as “full of life,” sharing that she deeply loved God, her children, and traveling. Those close to her told The North Carolina Beat, that Elder was 33 years old and that the flight from Wichita to D.C. was meant to be her last before starting a new position on Monday, February 3.
She leaves behind her 13-year-old daughter, Kayden, and her 4-year-old son, Dallas.
Sam Lilley
Sam Lilley, 28, was just months away from being promoted to captainโa step in a career he adored, his father, Timothy Lilley, told reporters. Timothy also shared that his son was engaged.
Sam followed in his fatherโs footsteps, as Timothy was a veteran pilot.
Jonathan Campos
Jonathan Campos, 34, was born in New York but raised in Florida. He learned to fly at the Epic Flight Academy, earning certification to fly commercial jetliners in 2017. It’s unclear if he lived in Charlotte.
In a Thursday press conference, President Trump confirmed there were no survivors from the crash, calling it a “heartbreaking tragedy.” Authorities are now investigating the cause of the mid-air collision.
