Elite Skaters Among Victims in Midair Collision

In a heartbreaking turn of events, elite U.S. figure skaters were among the passengers on American Eagle Flight 5342 when it collided midair with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and crashed into the Potomac River on Wednesday night. U.S. Figure Skating confirmed early Thursday that several top athletes, along with their coaches and family members, were returning home from a high-performance training camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

The flight, which was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, departed Wichita, Kansas, after the conclusion of the 2025 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championship and the subsequent National Development Camp. The camp, a key event in the U.S. figure skating calendar, serves as a launchpad for athletes aspiring to secure a spot on Team USA for the upcoming world championships. Participants attend a three-day educational training program that accelerates their exposure to high-performance programs and international competitions. This makes the camp one of the most critical stepping stones for emerging and established skaters alike.

U.S. Figure Skating expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy in a statement: “These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts.” The organization has not yet disclosed the exact number of U.S. skaters onboard, but the loss is expected to have a profound impact on the figure skating community nationwide.

In a tragic international twist, Russian state media reported that two former world champions in pairs figure skating were also among the passengers. According to Tass and Ria Novosti, the Russian world pairs champions, married couple Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, were onboard the flight. Shishkova, 52, and Naumov, 55, claimed the world title in 1994 and have been residing in the U.S. since 1998 after retiring from competitive skating. The duo had transitioned into coaching, working with skaters including members of the Russian national team. Their presence on the flight underscores the deep international connections within the figure skating community.

The catastrophic collision, which occurred near Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National Airport, marks one of the deadliest air disasters on U.S. soil in over 20 years. Emergency responders raced against time in challenging conditions—including frigid temperatures and high winds—to recover victims from the Potomac River. As rescue operations continue, the figure skating world mourns the loss of some of its brightest talents, whose careers and lives were abruptly halted by this tragic accident.

Investigations into the cause of the midair collision are now underway, with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) leading the probe. The final report, expected to take several months, will examine crucial elements such as air traffic control communications, flight data, and the black box recordings from both the American Eagle flight and the U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter.

As families and the global figure skating community grieve, the tragedy has also raised broader questions about air safety and the coordination between military and civilian flights. While officials promise a thorough investigation, the loss of these athletes and coaches will leave an indelible mark on the sport, with fans and fellow competitors rallying together to honor their memory. Follow our live coverage for updates as more details emerge.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, cnbc.com