On the night of January 29, 2025, tragedy struck when a plane collided midair with a military helicopter near Washington, D.C., causing both to crash into the Potomac River.
Among those on board the American Airlines flight 5342 were members of the US Figure Skating community, including former world champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who were traveling with a group of young skaters and coaches.
The flight had departed from Wichita, Kansas, on its way to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Just before the crash, the plane collided with a military Black Hawk helicopter that was carrying three military members.
The plane, which had 60 passengers and four crew members, and the helicopter both plummeted into the icy waters of the Potomac River.
US Figure Skating confirmed that Shishkova and Naumov, both Russian-born ice skating coaches and former world champions, were among those aboard the plane.
The pair had been living in the US since at least 1998, dedicating their lives to coaching young ice skaters. They had gained global recognition when they won the pairs figure skating world championship in 1994.
They were traveling with their students after attending the National Development Camp in Wichita, which took place alongside the US Figure Skating Championships. This camp was an important event for the skaters, where young talents gathered for training, hoping to make their mark in the skating world.
One of the coaches, Ludmila Velikova, who had played a key role in shaping Shishkova and Naumov’s careers, spoke to the media from St. Petersburg.
She shared the heartbreaking news that 14 skaters and trainers were also on the flight, but she found some relief in knowing that Shishkova and Naumov’s son, Maxim, who had competed in Kansas, was not among them.
US Figure Skating released a statement, mourning the loss of their community members. “We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts.
We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available,” the statement read. At the time of the release, the names of the victims had not yet been disclosed.
The US Figure Skating Championships in Wichita had recently concluded, with athletes competing in singles, pairs, and ice dance. This year’s competition had featured all four 2024 US champions, including Madison Chock and Evan Bates, Ilia Malinin, Amber Glenn, and Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea.
Many of these athletes, along with the young skaters on the flight, were seen as future contenders for major competitions, including the 2030 Olympic Games.
One of the young skaters on board, Spencer Lane, had been thrilled to be part of the National Development Camp. He had shared his excitement on Instagram, posting a collage of photos and a video with his fellow participants.
Just hours before the crash, he posted a chilling photo from inside the plane, showing the wing from the window as it took off. The caption indicated that he was traveling from Wichita to Washington, D.C., completely unaware of the disaster that awaited them.
While officials have not confirmed the total number of casualties, DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly reported that 27 bodies had been recovered from the passenger jet, and one from the helicopter.
The search for survivors has now shifted to a recovery operation. The chances of survival are slim, given the harsh conditions of the crash site, which is located in freezing waters with strong winds and low visibility.
Divers have been retrieving luggage and debris from the crash, and they have located one of the plane’s black boxes, though it’s still unclear whether it is the cockpit voice recorder or the flight data recorder.
President Donald Trump responded to the tragedy through posts on Truth Social, expressing his concern over the circumstances of the crash. He wrote, “It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn?
Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane?” He also emphasized that the crash might have been avoided, stating, “NOT GOOD!!!” Later, he posted, “God bless you all!” in another message, showing his sympathy for those affected.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also spoke about the incident, confirming that the President had been made aware of the situation.
“I can confirm that President Trump has been made aware of the situation, and tragically, it appears that a military helicopter collided with a regional jet at DCA airport right here in Washington, D.C.,” Leavitt said.
She urged the public to stand by for updates from law enforcement as they worked to manage the disaster.
Vice President JD Vance also addressed the situation on social media, sharing his thoughts and asking for prayers for those involved in the crash. “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.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the crash involved a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet, which had been on approach to Reagan National Airport, and a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter.
The FAA is assisting with the investigation, but the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the inquiry into what happened. The FAA will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
Retired American Airlines pilot Doug Rice pointed out that the Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) aboard the aircraft is designed to prevent mid-air collisions, but it is ineffective at altitudes below 700 feet, which might have contributed to the deadly crash.
The aircraft were both descending, one into the airport and the other along the Potomac River, making it difficult for the systems to detect and prevent the collision.
As recovery teams work tirelessly under difficult conditions, the world watches and hopes for any new developments. With temperatures plunging and the rescue operation facing challenging circumstances, including freezing waters and strong winds, experts have warned that the chances of survival are slim.
Around 300 emergency responders are on the scene, continuing the grim task of searching for any remaining survivors or further evidence to piece together the cause of the crash.
This tragedy has deeply affected the skating community and beyond, with thoughts and prayers pouring in for the victims, their families, and all those who have been touched by the loss.
