US Figure Skating has confirmed that several skaters and their coaches were on board the American Airlines plane that crashed in Washington D.C. on Wednesday night.
A passenger jet collided with a military helicopter in Washington D.C. on Wednesday night. Credit: Al Drago/Getty Images
A search and rescue operation is currently underway after a passenger plane collided with a military helicopter in mid-air.
The flight, which had 60 passengers and four crew members on board, had been due to land at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport when the mid-air collision took place, sending both aircraft into the Potomac River.
The US Army Black Hawk helicopter also had three soldiers on board when the collision happened at around 9PM local time.
The passenger plane was moments from landing, having flown from Wichita, Kansas, and the military helicopter had reportedly been on a training flight.
According to a statement from US Figure Skating, several of its skaters, and some of their parents, as well as their coaches had been on the flight.
The organization told the New York Post in a statement: "US Figure Skating can confirm that several members of our skating community were sadly aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a helicopter yesterday evening in Washington, D.C.
"We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available."
A helicopter assists with search and rescue operations over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington Airport. Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
The skaters were reportedly part of the National Development Team and had competed at the US Figure Skating Championships at the INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas, which was held between January 20 and 26.
Team US pair skater Luke Wang said on X: "Praying for all those on the flight from Wichita to DC. Among the passengers were skaters and coaches. absolutely heartbreaking."
Currently, there are around 300 responders searching the river, with helicopters and inflatable boats also aiding the rescue operation.
Washington D.C. fire chief John Donnelly said the operation is "highly complex" due to "extremely rough conditions", adding that any potential survivors could be at risk of hypothermia due to the cold and windy conditions.
President Donald Trump also shared a statement thanking first responders for their "incredible work", adding that he is "monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise".
He concluded his post by writing: "May God Bless their souls."
Signage displays an emergency message inside Ronald Reagan National Airport. Credit: Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images
According to reports, audio from the air traffic control tower at the time of the crash shows a controller asking the helicopter: "PAT25 do you have the CRJ in sight", referring to the passenger aircraft.
"Tower, did you see that?" another pilot is heard saying seconds after the collision.
An investigation into the circumstances of the crash is currently underway.
Following the tragic American Airlines Flight 5342 collision on Wednesday evening, a figure skater has spoken out clarifying a circulating story that he was supposed to be on the doomed plane.
Just prior to 9:00PM last night, American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a military helicopter mid-air - with both aircraft plunging into Washington, D.C.’s Potomac River.
The search has been switched to a "recovery operation". Credit: Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images
Officials have confirmed that all 60 passengers and four crew members are believed to have perished in the disaster. Additionally, the three soldiers aboard the US Army Black Hawk helicopter are also believed to have died.
As emergency authorities now switch to a "recovery effort", more details are emerging regarding the victims of this tragedy.
The victims included several members of the US figure skating community who had been in Wichita for the US Figure Skating Championships and the associated National Development Camp.
Emergency divers respond after a passenger aircraft collided with a helicopter. Credit: Andrew Harnik / Getty Images
In a statement, US Figure Skating confirmed: "These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas."
"We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims' families closely in our hearts," the organization added.
Among the passengers were legendary Russian figure skaters Yevgenia Shishkova, 53, and Vadim Naumov, 56, the 1994 world champions in pairs figure skating.
World Champions Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova were onboard the doomed flight. Credit: Chris Cole/ALLSPORT/Getty
Doug Zeghibe, CEO of the Skating Club of Boston, revealed that six victims were affiliated with their organization, including two young skaters, their coaches, and their mothers.
The Massachusetts-based skaters were identified as Spencer Lane and Jinna Han, along with their mothers, Molly Lane and Jin Han.
“It’s a major loss for our skating community,” Zeghibe said.
Viral Figure Skater Speaks Out
Following the tragedy, several news outlets have reported that figure skater Jon Maravilla survived the disaster after he was informed at the airport gate that his dog could not be carried on due to its size. As a result, he missed the flight and opted to travel by car - thus, saving his life.
However, this is untrue, and the figure skater has now spoken out about what really happened.
Speaking to the Daily Beast, Maravilla has confirmed that he was scheduled to take a different flight with his pet dog - a Bichon Frisé called Yuki.
Maravilla informed the outlet that he was due to catch a Delta flight to Atlanta before transferring to Detroit. This was the flight he was turned away from - not American Airlines 5342.
As such, the young figure skater admits he has been left confused about how the false reports originated.
Regardless, Maravilla says he is in disbelief over the tragedy, which saw him lose many close friends.
"I was just with them watching them have lots of fun and just enjoying their time," he told the outlet.
In response to the tragedy, American Airlines has launched a special helpline (1-800-679-8215) for families seeking information about loved ones aboard Flight 5342.
"We owe everyone involved accurate and timely information," American Airlines CEO Robert Isom assured. "Our team of highly trained professionals will be working around the clock to support our passengers, crew, and their families, however we can."
With so many questions still unanswered, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an in-depth investigation into the collision. American Airlines has pledged full cooperation, while aviation experts analyze whether human error, communication failures, or equipment malfunctions played a role in the catastrophe.
Our thoughts go out to every person impacted by this tragedy and we wish the emergency services the best with their ongoing efforts.
A figure skater shared a final photo of American Airlines Flight 5342 before its tragic mid-air collision. Credit: Win McNamee / Getty
Several US figure skaters and coaches were among the 64 people on the ill-fated flight, which took off from Wichita, Kansas, on Wednesday (January 29) night.
As widely reported, the small commercial plane collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter, carrying three soldiers, as it approached the airport.
According to The Guardian, the aircraft was traveling at approximately 140 miles per hour and adjusted its trajectory to land on Runway 33 after clearance from air traffic control.
In the moments leading up to the tragic collision, an air traffic controller had radioed the approaching military helicopter, asking if it had the incoming jet in sight. Another call followed: “PAT 25 pass behind the CRJ.”
But within seconds, disaster struck - the two aircraft collided mid-air, per CNN.
The devastating impact sent both aircraft plummeting into the Potomac River around 9PM local time.
DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly told reporters: “We are now at a point where we’re switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation."
It has also been disclosed that 28 bodies had been recovered from the passenger jet, and one had been recovered from the military helicopter, per NBC News.
It is believed there will be no survivors from either aircraft.
It's believed that there are no survivors. Credit: Andrew Harnik / Getty
Among the passengers on American Airlines Flight 5342 was Spencer Lane, a member of the US figure skating team.
Just before takeoff, the 26-year-old shared a picture of the plane’s right wing, captioning the post with the flight’s route: “ICT [to] DCA”, referencing Wichita Eisenhower and Reagan National Airport.
Tragically, this was the only direct flight between the two airports that day, typically departing at 5:18PM local time, per FlightAware.
Also on board were 1994 World Champion pair skaters Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, Russian state-owned media reported, per The New York Post.
The husband-and-wife duo served as coaches for their son, Maxim Naumov, who had just placed fourth in the Men’s Free Skate Championship.
It remains unclear whether the 23-year-old was traveling with his parents at the time of the horrific crash.
Figure skater Spencer Lane snapped a photo of his view from a flight from Wichita to Reagan National Airport and posted it on Jan. 29, 2025. Credit: Spencerskates26/Instagram
The figure skaters, coaches, and parents were returning home after the National Development Camp at the US Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas.
US Figure Skating released an emotional statement about the tragedy, which read: “We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available."
The International Skating Union (ISU), which oversees competitive ice skating worldwide, echoed the sentiment, saying: “We are heartbroken to learn that Figure Skaters, along with their families, friends, and coaches, are understood to be among those on board. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy."
"Figure skating is more than a sport — it’s a close-knit family — and we stand together,” they concluded.
Signage displays an emergency message inside Ronald Reagan National Airport. Credit: Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy provided an update on the wreckage of Flight 5342, confirming that the plane's fuselage remains submerged in the Potomac River in multiple sections.
"The fuselage of the American Airlines plane was inverted. It’s been located in three different sections. It’s in about waist-deep water, so that recovery is going to go on today," Duffy stated.
Discussing the ongoing recovery efforts, he added: "As that recovery takes place of the fuselage of the aircraft, NTSB is going to start to analyze that aircraft, partner with the FAA with all the information we have to get the best results possible for the American people."
Duffy also confirmed that both aircraft were following a "standard flight pattern" at the time of the collision.
A young ice skating couple has been revealed as some of the victims of the American Airlines crash this week.
An American Airlines flight from Wichita, Kansas collided midair with a military Black Hawk helicopter. Credit: Handout / Getty
In a tragic incident on January 29, an American Airlines flight collided mid-air with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington D.C., resulting in the loss of all 67 individuals on both aircraft.
Among the victims were several members of the figure skating community, including 11-year-old Angela Yang and her 11-year-old partner, Sean Kay, both from Delaware.
They were returning from the National Development Camp in Wichita, Kansas, accompanied by their coach, Alexandr "Sasha" Kirsanov.
Angela had recently shared her enthusiasm on Instagram, posting, "Had so so much fun at camp!!! I'm really gonna miss my friends and all the great coaches! I can't wait for next year!"
Sean's father, Vitali Kay, recounted his concern when his wife, Julia, and son did not arrive as scheduled. He shared to CBS News Philadelphia, "The plane was supposed to land at 9, and I called my wife and she didn't pick up. I thought maybe it was on airplane mode and she forgot to switch it off."
The figure skating community is mourning the loss of these young talents and their dedicated coach. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support the affected families during this challenging time.
This tragedy has deeply affected all who knew Angela, Sean, and Sasha, leaving a profound void in the hearts of their loved ones and the broader figure skating community.
Authorities are continuing search and recovery efforts after the American Airlines regional jet collided with the U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter while preparing to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C.
It's believed that there are no survivors. Credit: Andrew Harnik / Getty
The crash, which happened over the Potomac River, is believed to have killed all 67 people on board both aircraft, making it the deadliest U.S. air disaster in nearly 24 years.
Per The Hill, as of Thursday, more than two dozen bodies had been recovered from the river, with officials working to locate the remaining victims.
D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly stated during a press conference that he is confident all victims will ultimately be accounted for.
The U.S. Army has confirmed that the three soldiers aboard the Black Hawk were engaged in an annual night proficiency training flight at the time of the accident.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described them as a “fairly experienced crew” and stated that their families were being notified.
Two of the three soldiers have been publicly identified: Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28, of Lilburn, Georgia and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, of Great Mills, Maryland.
The third soldier’s identity has not yet been released at the request of their family.
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves acknowledged Eaves’ passing, stating, “Mississippi is mourning the loss of Brooksville native Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Eaves, who was killed in last night’s accident at Reagan National Airport. Elee and I are praying for the victims’ families and first responders who are assisting.”
The remains of all three service members are being transferred to the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, where military officials will oversee a dignified transfer.
Authorities remain on-site, searching for additional remains and investigating the cause of the crash.
Among the victims of the tragic American Airlines crash were two figure-skating sisters, as recovery efforts continue.
The tragic incident happened on January 29 when American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter.
An American Airlines flight from Wichita, Kansas collided midair with a military Black Hawk helicopter. Credit: Al Drago / Getty
The flight was coming in to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and both aircraft plunged into the Potomac River.
Sadly, the following day, authorities declared that there were no survivors and efforts turned to recover the bodies of the 67 people who lost their lives.
On board were some members of the figure skating community, including 14 and 11-year-old Everly and Alydia Livingston.
The skating website Golden Skate was the first to report the news.
Everly and Alydia were killed in the crash. Credit: Instagram/Donna Livingston
The sisters were members of the Washington Figure Skating Club and frequently shared their routines on social media. On Instagram, they were known as @ice_skating_sisters.
Their last Instagram post, shared five days before the crash, showed them at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas.
The caption read: "If you look closely at Alydia’s badge… We were born ready for this but is @usfigureskating ready for this much Livingston at Nationals?"
In a separate post, Everly’s coach, Inna Volyanskaya, praised the young skater and her partner, Franco Aparicio, for their accomplishments.
"Congratulations on Everly and Franco for making it to the national development camp for their second year! So proud of all their hard work and training they have done to get here. What an amazing way to start off the year!" she wrote.
Volyanskaya, 59, a former Soviet Union pair skater, was also among the passengers.
U.S. Figure Skating confirmed to PEOPLE that several of its members were onboard the aircraft.
Among the victims were at least six members of The Skating Club of Boston, including two teens, Spencer Lane and Jinna Han, their mothers, Molly Lane and Jin Han, and two coaches, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, former Russian world champions.
Other victims included members of the Washington Figure Skating Club, the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club, and the Skating Club of Northern Virginia.
In a statement, U.S. Figure Skating acknowledged the tragedy: "We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available."
Pairs figure skating world champions Evgenia Shishkova, 52, and Vadim Naumov, 55, who won the 1994 title, were among those onboard, Reuters and The Guardian reported, citing Russian news agencies TASS and RIA.
The couple, who had lived in the U.S. since at least 1998, were known for training young figure skaters.
Our thoughts continue to be with those affected by the tragedy.
Per the Daily Mail, it has been confirmed that the son of Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov - Maxim Naumov - did not fly on the ill-fated plane with his parents.
Additionally, per this morning's press conference, DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly has told reporters: “We are now at a point where we’re switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation.
"At this point, we don’t believe there are any survivors from this accident."
Per CNN and NBC News, it has also been reported that twenty-seven bodies had been recovered from the passenger jet, and one had been recovered from the military helicopter.
ORGINAL:
Amid the fallout of the tragic mid-air collision of American Airlines Flight 5342 over Washington, D.C., Russian authorities have confirmed that two former world champion figure skaters were among the passengers.
A helicopter assists with search and rescue operations over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington Airport. Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
State-run Russian news agency TASS has named Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, - the married pair skating champions who claimed gold at the 1994 World Figure Skating Championships - as being on board the doomed plane, per Reuters.
The couple, who have lived in the US for years training young skaters, were returning from the National Development Camp held alongside the US Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas.
Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova (pictured in 1997) were reportedly on the plane. Credit: Todd Warshaw /Allsport/Gett Images
Their son, Maxim Naumov, who is also a competitive skater, may have been with them. His name was listed on the event’s official roster as a competitor, though his presence on the flight has not been officially confirmed.
TASS also reported that Inna Volyanskaya, a former Soviet figure skater and coach at the Washington Figure Skating Club, was reportedly aboard Flight 5342 as well.
US Figure Skating ‘Devastated’ by the Loss
As news broke of the involvement of high-profile skating figures in the crash, the governing body for US Figure Skating also released a statement confirming multiple members of its community were among the passengers.
“We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available," the statement read.
There are also concerns that Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova's son could have been on the doomed flight. Credit: Chris Cole/ALLSPORT/Getty
The revelation has sent shockwaves through the international figure skating world, with tributes already pouring in from athletes, coaches, and fans.
Meanwhile, American-Russian figure skater Anton Spiridonov has released a statement to fans confirming that he was not among the casualties the crash, despite some media outlet reporting the contrary.
“Russian news outlets have included me on a list of presumed people on the flight from Wichita to Washington D.C," Spiridonov, who won a silver medal for the United States at the 2023 Winter World University Games, shared on Instagram.
"I was NOT on this flight, thank you for everyone’s concern for my safety. My heart goes out to all the families affected by this tragedy," he added.
The Collision That Shook Washington, D.C.
The disaster unfolded at approximately 9:00PM local time when American Airlines Flight 5342, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, was on its final approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Signage displays an emergency message inside Ronald Reagan National Airport. Credit: Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images
Air traffic controllers had reportedly cleared the jet to land on Runway 33, and moments before the crash, they asked a nearby Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter if it had visual confirmation of the arriving aircraft, per CNN.
It has been confirmed by officials that three soldiers were onboard the helicopter.
Within seconds, the two aircraft collided in mid-air, sending wreckage spiraling down into the Potomac River below.
The jet’s radio transponder stopped transmitting 2,400 feet short of the runway.
Circulation reports state that at least 19 bodies have been recovered at this time, though authorities fear the death toll may rise as rescue efforts continue.
American Airlines CEO Vows Support for Victims’ Families
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom has since expressed his “deep sorrow” over the catastrophe, promising full cooperation with investigators.
“This is a difficult day for all of us at American Airlines,” Isom said in a video statement. “Our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, partners, first responders, along with their families and loved ones.”
The airline has activated its crisis response unit and launched a helpline (1-800-679-8215) for families seeking information about loved ones aboard Flight 5342.
“We owe everyone involved accurate and timely information,” Isom added. “Our team of highly trained professionals will be working around the clock to support our passengers, crew, and their families, however we can.”
Search and Rescue Efforts Hampered by Dangerous Conditions
With 300 emergency responders on-site, rescue teams are battling frigid temperatures and strong winds as they scour the murky depths of the Potomac River for survivors and wreckage.
D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly described the conditions as “extremely rough”, warning that the water’s darkness and depth were complicating recovery operations.
"That is a very tough condition for them to dive in," Donnelly added.
Emergency response teams search the Potomac River. Credit: Andrew Harnik / Getty Images
All flights at Reagan National Airport remain suspended as investigations continue.
Eyewitness Accounts: ‘It Looked Like Shooting Stars’
Washington resident Jimmy Mazeo was eating in a park near the river when he noticed strange lights streaking across the sky.
“We saw these white flares streak across the sky. At first, we thought they were shooting stars,” he told WUSA9.
It wasn’t until first responders arrived that Mazeo realized the scale of the tragedy.
“We didn’t really think much of it until we saw the fire trucks, police cars, and boats racing toward the river. It was insane. I’m praying for all the people involved in this.”
What Comes Next?
In response to the tragedy, American Airlines has launched a special helpline (1-800-679-8215) for families seeking information about loved ones aboard Flight 5342.
"We owe everyone involved accurate and timely information," Isom assured. "Our team of highly trained professionals will be working around the clock to support our passengers, crew, and their families, however we can."
With so many questions still unanswered, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an in-depth investigation into the collision. American Airlines has pledged full cooperation, while aviation experts analyze whether human error, communication failures, or equipment malfunctions played a role in the catastrophe.
Meanwhile, the global figure skating community joins the nation at it awaits confirmation on the fate of Shishkova, Naumov, and Volyanskaya.
Our thoughts go out to every person impacted by this tragedy and we wish the emergency services the best with their ongoing efforts.
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