Charlotte airport employees hold vigil in honor of fallen crew members

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — More than a hundred people gathered at the Charlotte airport overlook Sunday night to remember four flight crew members who died during the Wednesday mid-air collision between a black hawk helicopter and an American Airlines airplane.

Family, friends, and fellow airport employees huddled together with candles in hand for more than an hour to remember flight attendants Danasia Elder and Ian Epstein, as well as pilot Jonathan Campos, and first officer Sam Lilley who were in the cockpit at the time of the collision. Several airport employees, including flight attendants, pilots, TSA staff and more took turns speaking to the crowd about the impact the four crew members had on Charlotte’s flight community.

Speakers shared memories of the joy each crew member brought to their teams. “Great people, super kind, courteous, respectful and professional,” said Captain Joseph Sorrentino, a pilot who worked with all four airport workers.

The group concluded the vigil with a song and prayer and all blew out their candles in unison. Airport employees signed a poster to commemorate the four fallen crew members. That poster will be displayed in Charlotte airport to further remember their impact.

“They are now our angels, our flight angels,” said a flight attendant who could not be identified, but knew each crew member.