Members of U.S. Figure Skating Team Were Onboard Crashed U.S. Aircraft Near Washington

On January 29, 2025, an American Airlines flight (Flight 5342), en route from Wichita, Kansas, collided mid-air with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C. The crash, which occurred as the plane approached Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, resulted in both aircraft plunging into the Potomac River. The plane had 60 passengers and four crew members on board, while the helicopter carried three military personnel.

Among the victims were former world champion ice skating coaches Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who were traveling with a group of young skaters returning from the National Development Camp in Wichita. US Figure Skating confirmed that several athletes and coaches were also on the flight. The tragic event has left the skating community in mourning, with US Figure Skating offering condolences.

Rescue efforts have been complicated by icy waters and strong winds, with 27 bodies recovered from the plane and one from the helicopter. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the collision. Authorities have suggested that the cold conditions may have reduced survival chances. The wreckage of both aircraft remains scattered in the river, and a black box has been found.

The crash has drawn national attention, with officials, including President Trump and Vice President JD Vance, expressing their condolences and offering support to those affected.