VIDEO: Body of flight attendant in DC plane crash honored in Charlotte
Remains of flight attendant killed in crash honored in Charlotte
Ian Epstein, a flight attendant who died last week in a mid-air collision between an American Airlines plane and a military helicopter, was honored at Charlotte Douglas International Airport Monday evening with a water cannon salute.
WASHINGTON - The body of Ian Epstein, a flight attendant who died last week in a mid-air collision between an American Airlines plane and a military helicopter, was returned home to Charlotte Monday evening.
Epstein was honored at Charlotte Douglas International Airport with a water cannon salute. Photos and video following the salute showed airport workers and emergency crews gathered to pay their respects as the plane taxied to the gate.
Who was Ian Epstein?
What we know:
Ian Epstein was a flight attendant aboard American Airlines Flight 5342.
"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 in a Facebook post.
Epstein, who had grown up in Montreal, recently became a flight attendant. He loved traveling and his job.
READ MORE: 55 victims positively identified following deadly DC plane crash
What is a water cannon salute?
A water cannon salute is used to honor major events like the retirement of a senior pilot, the first or last flight of a specific type of aircraft, or as a token of respect for the remains of a pilot or flight attendant.
It typically consists of an airplane or other vehicle traveling under plumes of water from fire-fighting vehicles.