Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs A video showing American Airlines paying tribute to a flight crew member who died in last week’s D.C. plane crash has gone viral on TikTok.The moment was captured by TikTok user @almalabebe at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C., and has amassed 7.5 million views since it was posted on February 4.Newsweek has contacted American Airlines and the NTSB via email and @almalabebe via TikTok for comment.
Why It MattersThe viral clip comes in the wake of two fatal plane incidents in recent days, including the January 29 crash involving American Airlines Flight 5432, which collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River while traveling from Wichita, Kansas to Washington, D.C.The incident killed all 64 people on board the plane and the three military personnel on the helicopter, making it the deadliest in U.S. aviation history in nearly 25 years.The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the crash.On Friday, a medical jet crashed into a Philadelphia neighborhood, killing seven people, while 19 were injured.What To KnowThe viral footage shows an American Airlines plane carrying the body of flight attendant Ian Epstein, passing under a water cannon salute as it departs the airport to head to Charlotte, North Carolina, where Epstein was based. A couple of airport workers are shown watching the plane go by.A caption shared with the viral TikTok clip reads “Tonight the remains of #flightattendant #ianepsteinamericanairlines received the #watercannonsalute as it departs from DCA to his home so he may be laid to #eternalpeace.”The plane carrying Epstein’s remains landed at Charlotte Douglas International Airport just before 10 p.m. local time, reported the WBTV station in Charlotte.Airport workers and emergency crew were said to have gathered to pay their respects as the plane carrying the remains arrived. The aircraft was met by a hearse on the airport tarmac, according to WBTV.Epstein is one of the four crew members who died in the D.C. plane crash, all of whom were based in Charlotte. The others were flight attendant Danasia Elder, captain Jonathan Campos and first officer Sam Lilley, according to WBTV.One of Epstein’s former colleagues told WBTV that he was “a colorful ball of energy,” noting that “he really holds the humanity of what it means to be a flight attendant and to enjoy it.”
A stock image of an American Airlines aircraft pictured at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in May 2022.
A stock image of an American Airlines aircraft pictured at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in May 2022.
iStock / Getty Images Plus
What People Are SayingTikTok user Amber Kennedy said in a response to the viral video: “Watched this 20 times. Cried every time.”User @heyyytashh commented on the TikTok post: “This whole thing makes me cry, this isn’t fair.”User er_rn_wife said: “I’ve never seen a tribute like this, lord be with this family.”User Cathi Beck! said: “Such a sad incident. They were so close to landing. In a blink of an eye they were gone. God bless them and their families. My heart breaks for them all.”User @alyssahew01 said: “As heartbreaking as this is, I’m glad he was found so that he can return home to his family.”What Happens NextThe NTSB said it will publish a preliminary report within 30 days of the incident, while a full report will be published between one and two years after the collision.Do you have a travel-related video or story to share? Let us know via life@newsweek.com and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
