From Left: Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov; Spencer Lane; Everly & Alydia Livingston.Photo:PIERRE VERDY/AFP via Getty; Spencer Lane/Instagram; Everly & Alydia Livingston/Instagram
PIERRE VERDY/AFP via Getty; Spencer Lane/Instagram; Everly & Alydia Livingston/Instagram
Almost half of the passengers on board the American Airlines plane that collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter were members of the figure skating community, skating officials have confirmed.
Twenty-eight members of the figure skating community were onboard Flight 5342 on Wednesday, Jan. 29 when the crash occurred over the Potomac River, according to astatementfrom Samuel Auxier , Interim CEO of U.S. Figure Skating.
Eleven of the victims were young skaters from five different clubs, according to a tribute video shared tothe U.S. Figure Skating Instagram page.
“They were beloved members of our global skating community, and we mourn their loss together,” Auxier said in the news release published on Sunday, Feb. 2.
Jinna Han at the 2025 Easter Sectional Singles Final.U.S. Figure Skating/YouTube
U.S. Figure Skating/YouTube
Three skaters — Alydia Livingston, 11, and Franco Aparicio and Everly Livingston, both 14 — were from the Washington Figure Skating Club, according to the tribute video.
Another three skaters — Brielle Beyer, 12, Cory Haynos, 15, and Edward Zhou, 16 — were from the Skating Club of Northern Virginia.
The Skating Club of Boston lost two skaters, Jinna Han, 13, and Spencer Lane, 16, as did the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club: Sean Kay and Angela Yang, both 11.
The 11th figure skater, Olivia Eve Ter, 12, came from the Ion Figure Skating Club.
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Four coaches were also lost in the crash. Among them was Inna Volyanskaya, 59, with the Washington Figure Skating Club, and Alexander Kirsanov with the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club.
The Skating Club of Boston CEO Doug Zeghibe previously announced that former Russian world championsEvgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who coached for the organization, were also killed.
American Airlines said64 people were on the planewhen the crash occurred around 9 p.m. local time on Wednesday. There were also three soldiers aboard the the helicopter.
Since then, Auxier said U.S. Figure Skating “has been connecting with the loved ones of those who lost their lives, offering the support of our extended community while remembering the light they brought to us all.”
Emergency crews at the Potomac River on Jan. 29, 2025.ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty
ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty
Many of those who died had “dedicated their lives to perfecting the sport of figure skating, many with the goal of one day becoming Olympians,” he added.
“We will never forget them. May their passion and excellence inspire us and give us strength in the days ahead,” Auxier stated. “For now, our hearts are heavy with sorrow, and we stand with their families and friends as we grieve this unspeakable loss. ”
Many tributes to the members of the figure skating community are expected in the coming weeks, he added.
The Washington Capitals will host one of those tributes on March 2 at Capital One Area, “with all proceeds going to the U.S. Figure Skating Family Support Fund.”
source: people.com
