CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Queen City News spoke with a family member who confirmed that the flight crew of the plane that crashed with a helicopter in Washington, D.C. Wednesday night was based in Charlotte.
Debi Epstein was married to flight attendant Ian Epstein for 23 years.
“He died doing what he loved,” Debi Epstein told Queen City News Anchor Robin Kanady.
Debi says Ian switched careers five years ago to become a flight attendant so that he could travel and see the world.
She says Ian was known for his personality and was considered a “comedian” on flights and that everyone loved him, and he enjoyed keeping passengers calm during flights.
Ian lived in Charlotte and had two children who went to high school in Harrisburg.
Debi says their daughter is getting married in eight weeks.
The Charlotte-Douglas International Airport confirmed with Queen City News that American Eagle Flight 5342 en route from Wichita, Kansas (ICT), to Washington, D.C. (DCA) was involved in the accident at DCA. The flight was operated by PSA Airlines with a CRJ-700.
There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft.
“Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft. We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts,” CLT Airport said. “If you believe you may have loved ones on board Flight 5342, call American Airlines toll-free at 800-679-8215.”
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