Multiple figure skaters and coaches who took part in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas were reportedly aboard an airplane that crashed near Washington D.C. Wednesday night.
U.S. Figure Skating confirmed to media outlets, including the Kansas City Star, that the skaters and coaches were part of the National Development Team.
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.”
(3 of 3)— Shomari Stone (@shomaristone) January 30, 2025
“U.S. Figure Skating can confirm that several members of our skating community were sadly aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a helicopter yesterday evening in Washington, D.C. These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas,” the statement from U.S. Figure Skating said. “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.”
Flight 5342, a Canadair Regional Jet CRJ-700, took off from Wichita, Kansas with 60 passengers and four crew on board. It was approaching for landing when it collided with an Army helicopter mid-air.
The Army UH-60 helicopter was out on a training flight from Fort Belvoir in Fairfax County, Virginia, according to multiple reports.
Latest below. Absolutely tragic. Search and rescue efforts still ongoing. Prayers for all impacted souls, and their families.
Investigation launched immediately by Army & DoD. pic.twitter.com/WdUnYV4UJz
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) January 30, 2025
No officials are known to have confirmed the names of victims.
Spencer Lane, a member of the Skating Club of Boston, posted a photo from inside an airplane cabin along with the caption “ICT → DCA,” — the abbreviations of the airports from which flight 5342 was scheduled to depart and arrive — to a story on his Instagram account Wednesday.
Russian state media reported that ice skating coaches and former world champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were among those on board the plane, according to The Guardian.
Russia’s Tass agency also reported Inna Volyanskaya, a former skater who competed for the Soviet Union, was on board. She was a coach at the Washington figure skating club, according to its website.
The 2025 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships were held in Wichita from Jan. 20 until Sunday. According to the Star, some young athletes stayed in the city this week for an advanced training program.
“Praying for all those on the flight from Wichita to DC. Among the passengers were skaters and coaches. Absolutely heartbreaking,” American skater Luke Wang wrote on his Twitter/X account late Wednesday.
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
“I am in shock. Praying for families and my skating community,” ice dancer Ethan Peal wrote on his Twitter/X account.
The Associated Press reported the precise number of victims remained unclear as rescue crews hunted for any survivors. Three soldiers were on board the helicopter, an Army official told the AP.
The U.S. Figure Skating Championships concluded Sunday with the men’s free skate final. Defending world champion Ilia Malinin placed first, punching his ticket for the World Figure Skating Championships in Boston in March.
For more sports news, visit Newsweek Sports.
PublishedFebruary 6, 2025 12:00 AM EST|UpdatedFebruary 6, 2025 12:40 AM ESTFacebookTwitterEmailCopy LinkWashington's football team has been stuck in an identity
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that prevents transgender women from competing in female categories of sports. The order provides guidan
This weekend, the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks absolutely shocked the NBA world by swapping Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis and a first round pick, wit
CNN — Fans in Canada continued to boo the US national anthem before games in the NBA