It was a night that started with excitement and hope but ended in unimaginable tragedy. A plane carrying a group of young skaters, their coaches, and families—including two legendary figure skating champions—crashed into the Potomac River near Washington, D.C., after a mid-air collision with a military helicopter.
The accident has left the skating community and the nation in shock.
The plane, American Airlines Flight 5342, was on its way from Wichita, Kansas, to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. On board were 60 passengers and four crew members.
Among them were Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, a married couple who were not only former world champions in pairs figure skating but also beloved coaches dedicated to training the next generation of skaters.
The group had just attended the National Development Camp, held alongside the US Figure Skating Championships in Wichita. For many of the young skaters, this was a dream come true—a chance to learn from the best and take their skills to the next level.
But their journey home turned into a nightmare. Around 8 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29, the plane collided with a Black Hawk helicopter carrying three military members. Both aircraft plummeted into the icy waters of the Potomac River. The crash sent shockwaves through the skating world and beyond.
US Figure Skating released a heartbreaking statement, confirming that members of their community were on the flight. “We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts,” the statement read.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available.”
Ludmila Velikova, the coach who had trained Shishkova and Naumov since they were young, spoke to the media from St. Petersburg, Russia. She revealed that 14 skaters and trainers were on the flight. “It’s a terrible loss,” she said, her voice heavy with emotion.
“Evgenia and Vadim were not just champions on the ice; they were mentors and inspirations to so many. Their legacy will live on through the skaters they trained.” Velikova also expressed relief that the couple’s son, Maxim, who had competed in Kansas, was not on the same flight.
The young skaters on board were full of promise. Many had been seen as future stars, with dreams of competing in the 2030 Olympics. One of them, Spencer Lane, had recently shared his excitement about attending the National Development Camp.
Just hours before the crash, he posted a photo on Instagram showing the plane’s wing through the window, with a caption indicating he was on his way from Wichita to Washington. The image, now haunting, was one of his last posts.
As news of the crash spread, tributes poured in from across the skating world. Christine Brennan, a well-known sports analyst, highlighted the importance of the National Development Camp. “These young skaters were the future of our sport,” she said. “They were talented, driven, and full of potential. This is a devastating loss for the entire skating community.”
The crash also drew responses from top officials. President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to express his shock and frustration. “It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn?” he wrote.
“Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane? This could have been avoided. NOT GOOD!!!” In a follow-up post, he added, “God bless you all!”
Vice President JD Vance also shared a message on X, urging the public to pray for those affected. “Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan airport this evening,” he wrote. “We’re monitoring the situation, but for now let’s hope for the best.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the tragedy during an interview with Sean Hannity. “I can confirm that President Trump has been made aware of the situation,” she said.
“Tragically, it appears that a military helicopter collided with a regional jet at DCA airport right here in Washington, D.C. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those involved.”
As rescue teams worked tirelessly to recover bodies and debris from the crash site, the challenges were immense. The Potomac River’s freezing temperatures and strong currents made the operation incredibly difficult.
DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly reported that 27 bodies had been recovered from the plane and one from the helicopter. “At this point, our efforts have shifted from rescue to recovery,” he said.
Divers searching the wreckage faced treacherous conditions. The plane was submerged in 5 to 8 feet of water, while the helicopter was found upside down but largely intact. One of the plane’s black boxes—either the cockpit voice recorder or the flight data recorder—was located, offering hope that it might provide clues about what went wrong.
Data from flight tracking websites showed that the regional jet was descending steadily toward the airport from the south, while the Black Hawk helicopter was descending along the Potomac from the north.
Retired American Airlines pilot Doug Rice explained that while aircraft are equipped with systems to prevent mid-air collisions, the Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) is ineffective below 700 feet—a detail that may have played a role in the crash.
As the investigation continues, the nation mourns the lives lost in this tragic accident. For the skating community, the loss is particularly profound. Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, along with the young skaters they mentored, represented the heart and soul of the sport.
Their dreams, their passion, and their potential were cut short in an instant.
The crash serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment. As the skating world comes together to honor the victims, their legacy will live on—not just in medals and trophies, but in the hearts of those they inspired.
