Victims of the plane crash near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, on Wednesday night were contestants in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, held from January 20 to January 26 in Wichita, Kansas.
The figure skating organization’s National Development Camp was held after the competition, and many stayed to participate, remaining in the city until January 29. Some skaters, their families, and coaches were on American Airlines Flight 5342. The commercial flight departed Wichita Wednesday evening and headed for Washington, D.C. The plane collided with a military Black Hawk Sikorsky H-60 helicopter shortly before 9 p.m. Both the plane and helicopter fell into the Potomac River after the crash.
U.S. figure skater Luke Wang posted about the tragic news on X late Wednesday night.
praying for all those on the flight from wichita to dc. among the passengers were skaters and coaches. absolutely heartbreaking.
— LUKE WANG (@lukeawang) January 30, 2025
”Praying for all those on the flight from wichita to dc,” Wang posted. “Among the passengers were skaters and coaches. absolutely heartbreaking.”
Another U.S. figure skater, Ethan Peal, posted about the crash on his X account.
“I am in shock,” he said. “Praying for families and my skating community.”
“Dear God I can’t take this,” Peal added in a separate post early Wednesday morning. “Hug your loved ones. I’m sorry.”
Dear God I can’t take this. Hug your loved ones. I’m sorry
— Ethan Peal (@ethanpeal_ice) January 30, 2025
Wang, Peal, and others involved with U.S. Figure Skating were notified about the plane crash through a text message, The Wichita Eagle reported.
Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, Russian figure skaters who won the 1994 World Figure Skating Championship pairs competition, were among the victims, according to reports.
U.S. figure skater John Maravilla told a Russian news agency that he believed approximately 14 figure skaters were on the plane, not including their parents and some coaches.
American Airlines previously announced that 64 people were on the flight, including four crew members. The Army said three soldiers were on the helicopter, which was reportedly on a training flight.
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser could not provide comment after the crash.
“I can’t say anything about the rescue operation right now,” she said.
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Bowser later posted an update on X, stating that the next press conference about the accident will be held at 7:30 a.m.
“Tonight, as our first responders continue their efforts, we are sending our love and prayers to the families, loved ones, and communities who are experiencing loss during this terrible tragedy,” she posted. “We will provide our next briefing at 7:30AM at DCA. It will be live on this account.”
