Skating Stars Were on Airplane That Crashed in Washington
According to ESPN, the plane carried skaters, coaches, and family members returning from a developmental camp following the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas.
A tragic plane crash in Washington, D.C., has shaken the figure skating world after an American Airlines jet collided with a U.S. Army helicopter before landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport.
Impact on the Skating Community
U.S. Figure Skating confirmed the tragedy in a statement: "We deeply mourn the loss of several members of our community who were aboard American Airlines Flight 5342. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims." The organization did not disclose the names of the affected passengers.
The crash occurred Wednesday night when the plane, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, collided with the military helicopter during its descent, triggering a massive rescue operation in the Potomac River. Washington Fire Chief John Donnelly reported that the chances of finding survivors are nearly zero. So far, 27 bodies have been recovered from the plane and one from the helicopter.
Renowned Coaches Among the Victims
Among the identified passengers were coaches Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who won the 1994 world championship in pairs and competed twice in the Olympics. Their son, Maxim Naumov, is a prominent U.S. figure skater. The Kremlin expressed its condolences for the loss of Russian citizens in the crash.
The International Skating Union also expressed its grief: "We are devastated to learn that members of our community have been affected. Figure skating is more than a sport; it is a family, and in this time of sorrow, we stand together."
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are investigating the cause of the collision, which occurred in one of the most tightly monitored airspaces in the world, just three miles from the White House and the Capitol. It has been revealed that seconds before the crash, an air traffic controller alerted the helicopter to the approaching plane.
This incident brings back memories of past figure skating tragedies, such as in 1961 when a plane carrying the U.S. national team crashed en route to the World Championships in Prague. Once again, the skating community mourns an irreplaceable loss.
