Charlotte-based flight crew was on American Airlines plane that crashed in DC

What's happening: Ian Epstein, a Charlotte flight attendant, was one of the crew members on board who died, according to a Facebook post from his family Thursday.

• First Officer Sam Lilley was one of the pilots, according to his father's Facebook post.
• Captain Jonathan Campos, a Charlotte crew member with New York roots, was another one of the plane's pilots, the Observer reported.
• Charlotte-based flight attendant Danasia Elder was also onboard, according to multiple news reports.
• Charlotte resident Wendy Jo Shaffer, a passenger on the flight, also died in the crash, according to a post on X, which included a statement from her husband.

What they're saying: "My heart goes out to everyone who lost loved ones in the tragic DCA plane crash. Anna and I are praying for all involved - including the families of the Charlotte-based crew members," North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein said on X Thursday.

• "This terrible loss will be felt deeper here in Charlotte as we learn that several of the people who perished were from Charlotte," Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said on X.
• "We stand by our partners at American Airlines and PSA Airlines, and we join the aviation community in offering our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, passengers, and colleagues affected by these devastating incidents," CLT officials said in a statement, referring also to a deadly Charlotte incident involving an aircraft tug and an American Airlines employee earlier this week.

Context: American Airlines flight 5342 reportedly collided with an Army helicopter at about 9pm Wednesday while the plane made its final approach to Reagan National over the Potomac River. The crash prompted a large search-and-rescue operation in the cold water.

• The airplane was en route from Wichita, Kansas. Meanwhile, the Army Black Hawk was taking part in a training mission at the time of the crash.
• The plane flew as an American Airlines Flight but was operating under PSA Airlines when the crash happened.
• Earlier Wednesday, PSA Airlines announced that it was moving its headquarters from Ohio to Charlotte.

For anyone who had loved ones on the airplane, this helpline can be accessed by calling 800-679-8215.

Keep reading:

• D.C. plane crash: What we know about the collision as all passengers feared dead
• What to know about the victims of the D.C. plane crash
• A pilot's take on the DCA midair collision

Editor's note: This is a developing story that we're updating with fresh details as we learn them.