What we know about the victims of the Charlotte region who died in the collision DC Mid -Air – WSOC TV

Washington – Channel 9 learns that the victims, who died tragically in the collision of Washington, DC, in mid -air, have links with the Charlotte region.

A PSA Airlines flight team based in Charlotte was in the accident involving an American Airlines regional jet and a Black Hawk Army Black helicopter near Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC, a source said.

The collision took place on Wednesday evening while the American Airlines 5342 regional flight, transporting 64 passengers and Wichita crew in Kansas, was on its last approach to Earth at Reagan National Airport. The Black Hawk helicopter, with three army soldiers on board, was on a training flight of very Belvoir, Virginia. The officials confirmed that there was no expected survivor of this accident.

Thursday, Glenn Counts of Channel 9 spoke with passengers at the national airport Reagan which returned a little more than 24 hours after the tragedy.

Traveler Steven Dittmer said he was going home to DC de Charleston, but the experience was different this time.

“Generally, I am not nervous. I fly all the time; I’m going to travel a little for my work, ”said Dittmer. “But going to the airport, my stomach was in knots all day because I discovered that there were a few people on the flight from my hometown. I was extremely nervous and I sat on my seat and prayed, so that’s all I can do.

Another traveler, Marcella Anderson, told Channel 9 that she was flying from DC airport to return home to Milwaukee. She said she was volunteering with the Red Cross, and teaches first aid.

She said she had a little anxiety, “but I trust that the pilot knows her work.”

PSA Airlines is a regional transporter from American Airlines and operates under the American Airlines brand.

Here are the crew members and the passengers in our region who were on board:

Victims of the Charlotte region of the DC outdoor collision who worked for American Airlines

Danasia Elder

Danasia Elder, on -board agent on Wichita flight at DC, leaves her husband behind her and two children, Cayden and Dallas.

Elder’s brother-in-law, Brandon Payne, described him as “full of life”, highlighting his love for God, his children and his travels.

“It was a big wife, a big parent, a great friend,” said Payne. “She was very brilliant, very intelligent. She was an entrepreneur. This flight affair was a bit like one of her dreams she wanted to make. »»

Payne said he was proud of his sister-in-law for continuing his dream, and he wants everyone to know that she would like people to continue their dreams.

“She would like you to do the same as she did. Hunt your dreams, whatever happens. Don’t let anything scare, push you away. Just believe in you, believe in God and follow the way, ”said Payne.

Sam Lilley

Samuel Lilley, the first officer on board American Airlines 5342, recently gave himself up, said his sister, Tiffany Gibson.

“He was an incredible person. He loved people. He loved the adventure. He liked to travel. He was excited. He was young. He was so young, and he was enthusiastic about life and his future and having a dog and a house and children. And that’s right, it’s just tragic, “she told ABC News.

Samuel Lilley’s former brother-in-law, Greg Gibson, remembered him for his passion for theft and his desire to help others.

Samuel Lilley died on the same flight path as his father, Timothy Lilley, flew for years. Timothy Lilley stole black Hawk helicopters for the army, carrying passengers over the Potomac river from its base in Virginia.

“We were stationed in Virginia, and (Timothy Lilley) stole this same road in both directions towards the Pentagon, again and again until his retirement,” said Tiffany Gibson. -Abc News’ Peter Charalambous

Ian Epstein

Ian Epstein, a former world campsite seller and current on -board agent, was known for his ability to make people smile.

“Ian Epstein made everyone smile,” said those who knew him.

His former colleagues from Camping World in Concord welcomed his skills as one of the best sellers in the company.

“He was really very talented to bring people to what they wanted, to make them comfortable, at ease, as if they were part of his family,” said Jennifer Cagle, former colleague.

This is why she was not surprised by her decision to become on -board agent. The technician David Davis says that Epstein was an adventurer who would go beyond for anyone he met.

“He always makes an additional effort, you know, to really help them,” said Davis.

Clint Grant told Channel 9 that Ius Epstein was his on -board agent, he always knew that there would be humor on board.

“All of a sudden, this guy comes out of nowhere and takes the microphone, and he begins to make jokes and to make fun,” said Grant. “He welcomed everyone lightly, with humor, with light, and he was right, just, one, seems to be a great guy.”

Grant said that his first flight with Epstein was supposed to be a quick trip of 30 minutes from Knoxville to Charlotte, but he quickly turned into a 45 -minute delay.

He said that there was only one person who made the waiting period a little easier to pass.

“The fact that there was a delay – laughing, you know, the fact that we should support ourselves. And how, you know, a large part of a nuisance. Has completely changed the energy of the whole hall, “said Grant. “My heart goes to him and his family and, you know, all the others who have been lost on this subject, you know, a tragic event.”

Wendy Shaffer

Wendy Shaffer, mother of two young children, was a passenger aboard the flight.

Wendy Shaffer, mother of two young children, was a passenger aboard the flight.

Shaffer’s death was confirmed via a GoFundme page created by friends, which noted that she left a husband and two boys, aged 3 and 1.

Friends said she had a radiant soul.

Her friends say her boys were her pride and joy, and she devoted her life to creating a warm and loving house with laughter and care.

The accident has left a significant impact on families and communities of people involved, because they cry the loss of dear beings and remember their dynamic lives.

Channel 9 works to confirm the identity of the pilot.

The accident, which occurred just after 8:45 p.m., is the US deadliest commercial aircraft crash in more than 15 years. The two planes would have been in their standard flight models in a highly frequented air corridor with a clear night sky.

Transport Secretary Sean Duffy has promised an in -depth investigation into the incident, ensuring the public that security remains an absolute priority. Recovery efforts are continuing as the authorities work to reconstruct the events leading to the collision.

Charlotte Douglas provides support

Charlotte Douglas provides support after the open -air collision DC

The chaplains are available Thursday at Charlotte Douglas airport to provide support and advice to employees and passengers, as all flights continue to operate as expected.

Despite the normal operations of Charlotte Douglas, the airport is a hub for American Airlines, and the situation affects the teams. Some Charlotte flights at Reagan National Airport near DC are delayed or canceled, although Reagan National has recently reopened.

The officials of Charlotte Douglas airport published a statement expressing their condolences, saying: “Our hearts are broken by tragic events” and providing support through the available chaplains.

Reagan national airport reopened Thursday morning, but some Charlotte flights there were delayed, and two flights later in the evening were canceled.

The presence of chaplains at Charlotte Douglas airport is to comfort people affected, as the airport manages the current situation with delayed and canceled flights.

Several flight crew workers have shown their appreciation for Mary Jane, one of the few airport therapy dogs.

“It’s a little more stressful with the events that occurred last night,” said volunteer Matt Pabtranyak.

The on -board agents said that they did not know the crew who died in the accident on the potomac, but the loss hurts.

Mary Jane was there to heal.

“And many flight attendants and flight teams collect our cards (trading) and I missed them today. I gave it so much, ”said Pabtranyak.

Passenger Kelly Smith left Bangkok on Wednesday for New York.

He heard of the accident when he woke up in the morning to go home to Charlotte.

“We were in the air at the same time as it happened,” said Smith. “It was pretty bad. I feel terrible for families.

He and a few other passengers said they thought of this flight when they walked on the plane.

Most did not know that the airport had advisers available at the chapel of the airport but loved the idea.

“There were no survivors, so it’s a sad situation,” said Rhakeem Vanderburg, a passenger.

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