U.S. Figure Skating confirms that athletes, coaches, and family members were on American Airlines Flight 5342 that crashed in D.C.

[TAHbKA]

Horrible news from the USA this morning

 

[gatorinfl]

New York Times is reporting that several members of the figure skating community were on the plane. They were attending a camp for top skaters according to NYT. I thought of Nationals. The AA plane was flying from Wichita to DC.

 

[swissskate]

Just read that Shishkova & Naumov passed away

 

[Sylvia]

From https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cy7kxx74yxlt (this statement has been published by several media outlets now)

Several figure skaters on board the flight - US governing body
published at 02:56

US Figure Skating - the American governing body for the sport - has confirmed in a statement that several members of its skating community were on board the American Airlines Flight 5342.

"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 reads.

"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."

ETA:

USFS' National Development Team Camp was held right after Nationals in Wichita for top Novice, Intermediate & Juvenile level singles skaters, pairs & ice dance teams, along with their coaches and parents, and a still unspecified number were flying back to the East coast on this plane.

 

[Rukia]

USFS made a statement that confirms there were "several" members of the skating community were on the flight.

 

[Karen-W]

This is being discussed in Off the Beaten Track, but I think it would be good if an Admin moved that thread over here since we now have confirmation that there were members of the figure skating community on board.

Plane and Blackhawk helicopter crash in Washington DC

What rfisher said. I have no words, it's all so horrible.

www.fsuniverse.net

 

[Sylvia]

Russian Champion Skaters Naumov, Shishkova Reportedly Among Passengers In D.C. Plane Crash:

Investigation Begins Into Plane Crash That Killed Russian-Born Skaters

Former Russian World Champion figure skaters Vadim Naumov and his wife, Evgenia Shishkova, are among scores killed in a mid-air collision between a passenger jet a military helicopter on a training flight over the Potomac River near the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

www.rferl.org

The Russian state news agency TASS and the sports media website Sports.ru both quoted sources as saying Naumov and Shishkova, who won the pairs gold medal at the 1994 World Championships, were on board the plane.
The pair, who also won the 1995-96 Champions Series final, moved to the United States after they ended their skating careers, and became coaches.
Their 23-year-old son, Maxim, is a U.S. citizen who competes for the United States in international competitions. He was the U.S. national junior champion in 2020.

Maxim was not on the plane - he is home in the Boston area and friends are with him, from what I've heard.

 

[Anita18]

Oh no! I was just reading about this crash, and also catching up with Nationals. So awful. I hope the families can be notified soon and find peace.

 

[Barbara Manatee]

I can’t think of anything to say that doesn’t feel completely inadequate. My deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the victims.

 

[Miezekatze]

 

[Anita18]

NYTimes reports the skaters were returning from the juvenile, intermediate, and novice camp. So young.

 

[jenny12]

Just read that Shishkova & Naumov passed away

Just heartbreaking. I’m devastated for Max and everyone affected by this tragedy.

 

[Kateri]

Such a heartbreaking thing to wake up to. Nothing I can really say, but thinking of everyone involved.

 

[MsZem]

Horrible. Like another Sabena 548

 

[On My Own]

Like another Sabena 548

That was my first thought

My thoughts and prayers are with the athletes and their families.

 

[Private Citizen]

Horrific news. I am feeling numb. Shishkova and Naumov were some of the unluckiest skaters in the sport. This kind of a tragic ending is unimaginable. My heart goes out to Max and to anyone else who had loved ones on this plane .

 

[Jarrett]

I knew this was a possibility when I heard the flight was Wichita. I was already gutted for the family and people that I didn't know but I just saw these people at nationals. So heartbreaking.

 

[Jarrett]

NYTimes reports the skaters were returning from the juvenile, intermediate, and novice camp. So young.

I overhead someone saying that they "worked hard getting you into the camp and to enjoy it." This was after nationals at the airport. I don't know if they were talking about a jr. worlds camp or this development camp that the news was reporting. I am going to be sick.

 

[Sylvia]

ISU Statement - American Airlines flight

The International Skating Union (ISU) and the global skating community are deeply shocked by the tragic accident involving an American Airlines flight in Washington, D.C. last night. We are heartbroken to learn that figure skaters, along with their families, friends, and coaches, are understood...

isu.org

ISU Statement - American Airlines flight
30 Jan 2025

The International Skating Union (ISU) and the global skating community are deeply shocked by the tragic accident involving an American Airlines flight in Washington, D.C. last night. We are heartbroken to learn that Figure Skaters, along with their families, friends, and coaches, are understood to be among those on board.

Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy. Figure skating is more than a sport—it’s a close-knit family—and we stand together. We remain in close contact with U.S. Figure Skating and offer our full support during this incredibly difficult time.

 

[Private Citizen]

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-figure-skaters-were-board-plane-that-crashed-into-potomac-river-2025-01-30/

A source told Reuters that as many as 15 people connected to skating may have been onboard . (N.b., the article erroneously said that Maxim Naumov may have been on board when it has already been confirmed that he was not.)

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01/29/us/plane-crash-washington-dc

Jon Maravilla, an American pairs figure skater, told RIA Novosti, a Russian state news agency, that there were “about 14 figure skaters on the plane, not counting their parents and coaches.”

“Such a tragedy,” Mr. Maravilla said, adding that he did not want to give their names. U.S. Figure Skating did not confirm the number of its members on board and did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

 

[Hedwig]

I am numb reading this just as I was pumped to start enjoying the Men SP at Euros.
My condolences

 

[paskatefan]

Heartbreaking for all of the victims & their families. Prayer & condolences for them.

 

[Aussie Willy]

Wow I am shocked. This is terrible.

My condolences to the families of the victims.

 

[Hedwig]

Inna Volyanskaya is rumored to have been killed by the crash as well.

 

[honey]

Feeling absolutely shocked by this. My heart goes out to all involved in this and their families. It’s heartbreaking.

 

[Carina]

Horrible news,

 

[tangerine dream]

There really are no words. My condolences to the families, loved ones, and communities of the victims.

 

[Spikefan]

I am in tears right now thinking of those kids. Several of the kids were in my aisle and ran down to hug the men after the long. So happy and excited to be part of the camp.

So sorry for Maxim and family. Condolences to everyone.

 

[Karen-W]

For those who want to tune into CNN -

https://twitter.com/x/status/1884930482309132712

 

[mtnskater]

I’m also in tears and sick to my stomach. Unbelievable tragedy for all involved and for us who loved them. As soon as I heard the flight was from Witchita I feared some skaters, coaches and fans might have been on that plane.

And to think the U.S. has not had any airline fatalities since 2009….

Unspeakable to think Max may have lost both of his beautiful parents.