CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A flight attendant tragically lost his life in a recent midair collision near Washington, D.C., and on Wednesday, his family and friends gathered to celebrate his life and legacy. Ian Epstein, one of 67 victims in the deadliest aviation disaster in the U.S. since 2001, was remembered for his dedication to family and his enthusiasm for travel. Memorial services for the other victims are also being organized as the community mourns together.
The life celebration for Epstein was held at the Chabad Center for Jewish Life in Charlotte, where family members and friends came together to commemorate the 53-year-old. He was remembered as a devoted father, husband, brother, and uncle, who led a career that allowed him to engage with people from all walks of life and traverse the globe. Epstein’s wife, Debra, and his daughters fondly shared memories of a father who was not only adventurous but also nurturing, recalling moments from family vacations to Disney World and times spent overcoming challenges together.
Despite a last-minute schedule change that placed Epstein on the ill-fated flight, his wife expressed a belief that he was destined to be on that particular journey. “We believe he was meant to be on that flight because it was filled with laughter and joy before the tragedy struck,” she shared amidst the emotional gathering attended by many in flight uniforms along with close friends.
The collision occurred between an American Airlines passenger aircraft and an Army Black Hawk helicopter close to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, resulting in the tragic loss of all lives aboard both planes. Later that evening, a public candlelight vigil in Alexandria, Virginia, drew numerous attendees, including local officials and emergency responders, to pay tribute to the lives lost in the catastrophe.
Rabbi Yossi Groner, who led Epstein’s service, highlighted heartwarming videos circulating on social media, showcasing Epstein’s interactions with passengers, where he could often be seen soothing upset infants and bringing joy to routine flights. Groner remarked on Epstein’s extraordinary warmth and humility, describing him as a person whose radiant spirit made a lasting impact. “His greatest joy was in uplifting those around him,” Groner stated.
Lynne Southmayd, a former training classmate of Epstein’s, shared her memories of him from five years prior, recalling the camaraderie built during their rigorous training. She conveyed that Epstein’s ability to bring laughter to challenging times left a deep impression on her. Though Southmayd no longer works as a flight attendant, she traveled from Delaware to honor her friend and expressed the strong bond formed through their shared experiences in aviation.
In leading the service, Groner shared a message of hope for those grieving, emphasizing the eternal nature of the soul and encouraging attendees to remember the positive contributions of the victims. “Though they are lost to us, their legacies and the goodness they embodied will endure,” he conveyed during the heartfelt memorial.
Just the day before, authorities announced that all remains from the crash site had been recovered, while the investigation into the circumstances leading to the incident remains ongoing. Salvage crews continued to extract debris from the Potomac River, sending it to a hangar for further analysis to determine the cause of the collision. Notably, significant pieces such as a wing and part of the fuselage were recovered.
The American Airlines flight was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members from Wichita, Kansas, including athletes returning from the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. On the Black Hawk helicopter were Army personnel on a training assignment, including Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, and Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach. The investigation into the crash continues as the community grieves the profound loss of life.
