The figure skating world is in mourning after a devastating mid-air collision near Ronald Reagan National Airport late Wednesday. An American Airlines regional jet carrying 64 people collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter while attempting to land, leaving no known survivors. Among the victims were figure skaters, coaches, and family members, many of whom were returning from a national skating event.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through both the sports and aviation communities, as details continue to emerge about the crash and those who lost their lives.
Washington DC Plane Crash
American Airlines Flight 5342 was en route from Wichita, Kansas, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, when it collided with a military helicopter over the Potomac River just before landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport around 9 p.m. Wednesday.
According to U.S. officials speaking anonymously, the Army Black Hawk helicopter was conducting a training mission when the two aircraft collided. The three U.S. Army soldiers aboard the helicopter were also among the victims. The cause of the accident is still under investigation, and authorities have yet to determine how the two aircraft came into such close proximity.
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Among the passengers were several members of the U.S. figure skating community, as confirmed by U.S. Figure Skating in an early Thursday statement. The athletes, coaches, and family members were traveling home after attending the National Development Camp, which took place in Wichita alongside the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.
Russian state-run news agency Tass reported that at least three Russian figure skaters were also among the victims. This includes former world champions Vadim Naumov, 55, and Evgenia Shishkova, 52, who won gold in the 1994 World Championships in the pairs category. The couple had lived in the U.S. since 1998, working as coaches and mentoring the next generation of skaters.
Their 23-year-old son, Maxim Naumov, a U.S. junior national champion in 2020, was not on the plane, according to the Skating Club of Boston.
Also among the victims was Inna Volyanskaya, 58, a former Soviet pair skater who competed in the 1980s.
The Skating Club of Boston, a prestigious institution in the figure skating world, confirmed that six of its members were on the ill-fated flight. The list of victims includes:
- Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova – Esteemed figure skating coaches.
- Jinna Han, 15, and Spencer Lane, 16 – Promising young skaters.
- Jin Han and Christine Lane – Parents of the young athletes.
“This is a horrible loss for our sport and our club,” said Doug Zeghibe, CEO of the Skating Club of Boston. “Skating is a tight-knit community, where parents and kids come together six or seven days a week to train. Everyone is like family … We are devastated and completely at a loss for words.”
No Survivors Found So Far
Rescue teams have been working tirelessly at the crash site, but as of Thursday morning, no survivors have been found. At least 30 bodies have been recovered from the wreckage, and search operations are ongoing.
Authorities are expected to release more details in the coming days, including preliminary findings from the investigation and any possible causes behind the collision.
For the skating community, this tragedy is more than just a news story—it is a profound loss that will be felt for years to come. The lives of those lost were dedicated to a sport they loved, and their contributions—whether as athletes, coaches, or devoted parents—will not be forgotten.
As the investigation unfolds, the world watches, hoping for answers while honoring the memories of those who perished in this unimaginable disaster.
