A couple who are skating trainers and former world champions of the sport were among those aboard the US plane that crashed near Washington.

In a heartbreaking revelation, US Figure Skating confirmed that members of their community were among those aboard American Airlines Flight 5342. The flight, which departed from Wichita, Kansas, was tragically involved in a mid-air collision with a military Black Hawk helicopter while approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

The tragic mid-air collision on the night of Wednesday, January 29, sent shockwaves through the aviation and sports communities. A military Black Hawk helicopter carrying three service members and an American Airlines plane with 60 passengers and four crew members crashed into the Potomac River after colliding midair.
US Figure Skating has confirmed that among those on board were athletes, coaches, and family members returning home from the National Development Camp, which was held alongside the US Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas. The organization is now mourning the devastating loss within their community as the investigation into the crash continues.

The governing body also revealed that esteemed Russian-born ice skating coaches and former world champions, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, were accompanying the group of young skaters.
This accomplished husband-and-wife duo has been a vital part of the U.S. skating community since at least 1998, devoting their expertise to training the next generation of athletes. Their legacy in the sport was solidified in 1994 when they captured the pairs figure skating world championship, earning global acclaim.

Ludmila Velikova, the renowned coach who played a pivotal role in shaping the skating careers of Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov from a young age, revealed to the media that 14 skaters and trainers were on board the ill-fated flight. Speaking from St. Petersburg, she expressed deep relief that the couple’s son, Maxim—who had recently competed in Kansas—was not among the passengers.
The U.S. Figure Skating community is now in mourning. In a heartfelt statement, they expressed their sorrow, saying, “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.”

Officials have yet to release the exact number of skaters on board or disclose the identities of those involved in the tragic incident. However, the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas, showcased top-tier talent across singles, pairs, and ice dance disciplines.
This year’s event featured all four reigning 2024 U.S. champions: ice dance sensations Madison Chock and Evan Bates, men’s singles star Ilia Malinin, women’s champion Amber Glenn, and the dynamic pairs duo Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea.

Sports analyst Christine Brennan emphasized the vital role of the National Development Camp in shaping the future of U.S. figure skating. She noted that many of the young skaters aboard the plane were seen as rising stars—potential contenders for major competitions, including the 2030 Olympic Games.
Among them was Spencer Lane, who was ecstatic to have secured a coveted spot at the camp—an achievement he had dreamed of since first learning about the program. To mark the occasion, he took to Instagram, sharing a heartfelt collage of photos and a video, proudly posing with fellow participants and expressing his excitement about the unforgettable experience.

Tragically, the dream Spencer Lane had worked so hard to achieve has now turned into heartbreak. Just hours before the devastating crash, Lane shared an eerie image on his Instagram story—one that now feels haunting in retrospect. The photo, taken from inside the ill-fated flight, captured the aircraft’s wing through the window before takeoff. His caption indicated he was en route from Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport to Ronald Reagan National Airport, unaware of the tragedy that lay ahead.

Authorities have yet to provide an official count of casualties from the devastating mid-air collision between the airliner and the military helicopter. However, they have indicated that the chances of survival are slim.
DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly revealed that recovery teams have so far retrieved 27 bodies from the passenger jet and one from the military helicopter. He further stated that the operation has now shifted from search and rescue to a full-scale recovery mission.

Through posts on Truth Social, President Donald Trump has addressed the tragic plane crash, offering his remarks on the incident. Vice President JD Vance also weighed in following the FAA’s disclosure of what transpired.

In a statement shared on X, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet was on its approach to Runway 33 when it collided mid-air with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter. “PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines,” the FAA added.
As the investigation unfolds, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken the lead, with the FAA providing support and expertise. The aviation administration has assured the public that continuous updates will be shared as new details emerge.
In his initial statement, President Donald Trump emphasized that the PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet was on a routine and precise approach to the airport before the tragic collision occurred.

Trump then pointed out that the helicopter had been on a direct course toward the aircraft for an extended period before the collision.
“It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing. Why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn? Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane [sic],” he wrote.

In closing his statement, Trump underscored the severity of the situation, expressing his conviction that the tragedy could have been prevented. He ended with a strong exclamation: “NOT GOOD!!!”
In his second post on Truth Social, the former president again conveyed the profound impact of the incident. Addressing the public, he offered his thoughts, saying, “God bless you all!”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also weighed in on the tragic incident. During an interview with TV presenter Sean Hannity, she acknowledged the gravity of the crash and highlighted the administration’s focus on supporting those affected.
“I can confirm that President Trump has been made aware of the situation, and tragically, it appears that a military helicopter collided with a regional jet at DCA airport right here in Washington, D.C.,” Leavitt stated.

She continued, “That’s all I can confirm at this point in time, and I can just say that the thoughts and prayers of the entire Trump administration are with all those involved. We ask the public in this area to please stand by for guidance from law enforcement and allow them to do their jobs as they attempt to save lives right now.”

Echoing the sentiments of Leavitt and Trump, Vice President JD Vance also expressed his thoughts on the tragedy, sharing a brief yet heartfelt message on X. “Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan airport this evening. We’re monitoring the situation, but for now, let’s hope for the best,” the VP wrote.

As the investigation into the tragic mid-air collision unfolds, news outlets remain on the ground, offering live updates as new information becomes available. According to CBS News, search efforts are continuing in the Potomac River, where wreckage from both the American Eagle Flight 5342 regional jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter is scattered across the waters.

The already grim search has been further complicated by freezing water temperatures and perilous conditions on the Potomac. BBC reported that approximately 300 emergency responders are braving these harsh elements, working tirelessly in icy waters, battling strong winds, and contending with low visibility as they continue their efforts.

Rescue experts caution that the harsh environment severely limits the chances of survival, as the cold shock response sets in within seconds of exposure. Along with human remains, divers have recovered luggage and debris from the crash site.
The plane’s wreckage is located in 5 to 8 feet of water, and a dive team has successfully located one of the aircraft’s black boxes—though it remains unclear whether it is the cockpit voice recorder or the flight data recorder. Meanwhile, the helicopter has been found upside down but remains largely intact.

Regarding the analysis of the aircraft’s flight paths, data from tracking websites reveals that the regional jet was on a steady descent into Reagan National Airport from the south, while the Black Hawk was descending along the Potomac River from the north.
Although aircraft are equipped with safety systems to detect and prevent mid-air collisions, retired American Airlines pilot Doug Rice pointed out that the Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) becomes ineffective below 700 feet—potentially playing a role in the tragic crash.