Family and friends of those killed in the horrific American Airlines and Army helicopter incident are paying tribute online as they await further information about what happened.
An Army helicopter and an American Airlines airliner collided in midair near Reagan National Airport outside Washington, D.C., around 9 p.m. on Wednesday. All 67 persons aboard both aircraft are believed dead.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves confirmed on X. On Tuesday night, one of the Army pilots killed in the crash was Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Eaves, a Brooksville native.
His wife, Carrie, also posted a note on Facebook regarding his passing.
She requested tranquility as all of the victims’ families continue to grieve, and begged the public to “refrain [from] negative comments on social media as these families’ children do not need to suffer more pain.”
“I am sure by now all of you have heard the news of the tragedy that has occurred in DC,” Carrie Eaves posted on Facebook. “My spouse was a pilot in the Black Hawk. We ask that you pray for our family and friends, as well as all of the other families that are suffering today.
She then uploaded another post, requesting people to contribute images of her late husband in the comments area.
“Let’s celebrate our loving memories,” she wrote.
Governor Reeves stated that he and his wife, Elee, are “praying for the victims’ families and first responders who are assisting.”
Tim Lilley identified his 28-year-old son, Sam Lilley, as the first officer aboard American Airlines Flight 5342.
“I was really proud of Sam when he became a pilot. Now it hurts so terrible that I can’t even cry myself to sleep. “I know I will see him again, but my heart is breaking,” Tim Lilley posted on Facebook. “Sam was the first officer on the plane that crashed in DC last night. He was doing well in both his work and his personal life. He was engaged to marry in the fall.”
“It is so devastating to lose someone that is loved so much,” said the man.
Scott Hubbard Jr., Sam Lilley’s friend and former coworker, commented on Facebook: “I had the honor to help welcome him to one of his first flying jobs at SkyLens as the outgoing chief pilot due to starting my career at the airline.” He was an excellent pilot. I never got to ride with him on an airline since I switched employers, but I was extremely proud to meet him and consider him a friend. My heart is sad for his family and fiancée.”
“You left an everlasting impact on us all and we are grateful for you,” he told us. “Blue skies, brother. My thoughts go out to the rest of the helicopter’s crew, passengers, and military service members. “Today is a sad day.”
Ian Epstein, a flight attendant, was on board the flight.
“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 and 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,” Debi Epstein, Ian’s wife, wrote on Facebook. “Please pray for Ian and our family as we travel to Washington, D.C. We will provide an update once arrangements are established.”
Epstein, who grew up in Montreal, Quebec, told Fox News Digital that he recently became a flight attendant and enjoyed traveling as well as his profession.
“Ian Epstein was full of energy. He loved working as a flight attendant because he enjoyed traveling and meeting new people. But his real love was his family. He was a father, stepfather, husband, and brother. “He will be greatly missed,” Epstein’s family said in a statement to Fox News.
American Airlines has yet to confirm the names of Lilley and Epstein.
During a news conference Thursday, D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly expressed confidence that all of the corpses from the crash would be retrieved.
“I’m confident that we will do that,” he told reporters. “It will take a little time. It may require some additional equipment.”
Wendy Shaffer, a mother of two small children, has been identified by Fox News Digital as another fatality on Flight 5342.
“I’m still waiting to wake up from this nightmare, but I’m afraid this is the truth. Wendy was not just gorgeous on the surface, but a truly fantastic woman inside and out,” Wendy’s husband, Nate Shaffer, said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“She was the best wife, mother, and friend anyone could ever ask for. Her love, kindness, and strength affected everyone she met. We will miss you more than words can say, Wendy Jo. I adore you so much! “My love, rest in peace.”
Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia reported that several victims were former students.
“Our hearts are heavy as we contemplate the heartbreaking news of last night’s catastrophic plane disaster over the Potomac River, which involved an American Airlines flight and an Army helicopter. This unthinkable tragedy has severely affected our community, and we are saddened to discover that several of the victims were former LCPS students,” the school district said in a statement Thursday. “Many other Loudoun families have also been impacted, and we extend our deepest condolences to all those grieving in the wake of this tragedy.”
Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia reported on its website that three pupils and six parents were killed in the collision. Two of the parents were current or former FCPS employees.
The Skating Club of Boston’s CEO, Doug Zeghibe, confirmed Thursday that six of its members died in the crash last night.
Zeghibe stated that 14 skaters were going home from a national development camp in Wichita, Kansas, six of whom were members of his organization.
“Our sport and this club have suffered a horrible loss with this tragedy,” Zeghibe told the crowd. “Skating is a close-knit community, with parents and children training and working together six or seven days a week. Everyone is like family. We are devastated and at a loss of words.”
Jinna Han and Spencer Lane, two skaters, were identified by Zeghibe as victims of the collision. The Associated Press stated that their mothers were also on board. Lane later shared a shot on his Instagram account from inside the plane before it left Wichita.
“Six is a horrific number for us, but we’re fortunate and grateful it wasn’t more than six,” according to Zeghibe. “This will have long-term implications for our skate community.
Two members were past world pair champion coaches, while the other two were youngsters. He said that the athletes’ mothers had also perished.
According to the Kremlin, Russian figure skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who have competed in previous Olympic Games and won multiple world championship medals, were on board the American Airlines flight.
The Fowl Plains Hunting Club in Great Bend, Kansas, reported on Facebook that seven clients died in the crash.
“We’ve always said our clients are more than friends,” the group stated. “They are family. Last night, seven family members were killed in a terrible plane tragedy. We’ve had the opportunity to hunt with seven different family members in recent years.
The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA) confirmed on X that five of its members were killed in the crash.
“We are heartbroken to confirm the death of a fifth UA Brother aboard American Airlines Flight 5342 last night. “May they all rest in peace,” the organization said in a post on X.
Leave a Comment