Tragic Plane Crash Claims U.S. Figure Skaters and Coaches

In a heartbreaking incident, U.S. figure skaters and coaches were among the passengers on American Airlines Flight 5342, which tragically crashed near Washington, D.C. late Wednesday night. The plane collided with an Army helicopter near Reagan National Airport and plunged into the Potomac River.

U.S. Figure Skating released a statement confirming that several members of their community were on board the ill-fated flight. "We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims' families closely in our hearts," the statement read1.

The group was returning from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships held in Wichita, Kansas, from January 20-26. Among the passengers were former Russian figure skaters and current coaches Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, winners of the 1994 World Figure Skating Championships.
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The crash has deeply affected the skating community, with many expressing their grief and condolences. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the incident, and recovery efforts are ongoing