Flight attendant Ian Epstein, one of the 67 victims of the D.C. plane crash, received a touching farewell at his home airport.

A flight attendant who was killed in the midair collision last week near the nation’s capital was set to be remembered for his devotion to family and passion for travel.

Flight attendant Ian Epstein, one of the 67 victims of the D.C. plane crash, was not originally scheduled to be on that American Airlines flight, according to his ex-wife.

American Airlines flight 5342 from Wichita collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 29, 2025. Authorities said no one survived, including a Charlotte-based crew. Here is ongoing coverage from The Charlotte Observer.

"I hold him so close to my heart. Like the many beautiful souls involved in this tragedy, Ian’s life and legacy will be remembered."

A flight attendant who was killed in the midair collision last week near the nation’s capital was remembered Wednesday for his devotion to family and passion for travel, as Ian Epstein’s family and others start to hold memorials for loved ones who were among the 67 victims in the deadliest U.