Ian Epstein was one of the American Airlines Eagles Flight 5342 plane attendant who died in the Black Hawk US Army helicopter crash
An American Airlines passenger plane and an Army helicopter collided late Wednesday night at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport outside of Washington, D.C., Ian Epstein including others lost their life.
In addition to 60 passengers, the aircraft had four crew members from Charlotte, North Carolina. The helicopter carried three soldiers. As first responders transitioned from a rescue effort to a recovery effort Thursday morning, it is thought that all 67 were murdered.
During a briefing on Thursday, President Donald Trump declared that there were no survivors. Three portions of the plane’s body were discovered upside down in waist-deep water. The helicopter’s wreckage was also discovered. All three Army soldiers were among the dozens of bodies recovered Thursday from the freezing waters of the Potomac River.
Who is Ian Epstein as American Airlines Eagles Flight 5342 plane attendant dies in Washington DC Black Hawk helicopter crash, bio, age, family, wife and children
The flight attendants on Flight 5342 have been identified as Danasia Elder, 34, and Ian Epstein, 53 pic.twitter.com/thdai6OHe0
— BNO News Live (@BNODesk) January 30, 2025
The identity of the victims who had ties to Charlotte, North Carolina, has been being verified by media. Ian Epstein is one of them.
When the plane struck a Blackhawk attempting to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Ian Epstein was one of 60 passengers and four crew members on board. Officials stated Thursday that everyone on board both planes were believed dead.
His ex-wife Debi Epstien resides in Harrisburg, North Carolina, according to her Facebook page. The town is located roughly 17 miles northeast of Charlotte in Cabarrus County.
“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 DC,” his ex-wife Debi Epstein wrote on Facebook. “Please pray for Ian and our family as we travel to DC.”
According to his Facebook page, age 53 Ian Epstein worked for PSA Airlines and lived in Charlotte.
Statement from Ian Epstein’s family:
"Ian Epstein was full of life. He loved being a flight attendant because he truly enjoyed traveling and meeting new people. But his true love was his family. He was a father, a stepfather, a husband and a brother! He will be truly missed.… pic.twitter.com/DjxgnroUnu— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) January 30, 2025
One of the couple’s two children, a daughter, is getting married in less than two months, according to his ex-wife.
Debi Epstein said that he made flying fun for the passengers on the plane so they didn’t get scared. He was always the one making jokes and making announcements with a twist.
According to officials, the cause of the collision is still being looked into.
Jennifer Homendy, the chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board, told reporters during a briefing on Thursday afternoon that the federal agency wants to reassure the American public that it will “leave no stone unturned in this investigation. This is a whole-of-government effort.”
According to Homendy, the flight data recorders, also referred to as “black boxes,” have not yet been found.