The American and Russian artistic skaters were aboard an American Airlines flight that crashed with an army helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport, near Washington, DC, Wednesday night.
The American artistic skating said that athletes, coaches and family members returned home from a camp held in Wichita, Kansas.
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The bodies are located on the ground next to emergency vehicles, near the accident site after American Eagle Flight 5342 crashed with a black hawk helicopter while approaching the Reagan Washington National Airport and crashed into the Potomac River , outside Washington, DC, on January 30, on January 30, on January 30, 2025. (Carlos Barria/Reuters)
“The American artistic skating can confirm that several members of our skating community were sadly aboard the 5342 flight of American Airlines, which collided with a helicopter last night in Washington, DC,” said the organization. “These athletes, coaches and relatives returned home from the National Development Camp held together with the artistic skating championships of the United States in Wichita, Kansas
“We are devastated by this indescribable tragedy and keep close to the families of the victims in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and disseminate more information as it is available.”
Live updates: the military helicopter collides with airplanes near the Reagan National Airport
Russian figures Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who won a couples title in the 1994 World Championship and competed in the Winter Olympic Games twice, were also aboard the plane, Kremlin Peskov spokesman said Thursday.
“Unfortunately, we see that this sad information is confirming. There were other fellow citizens there. Bad news today from Washington. We regret and send condolences to the families and friends who lost those of our fellow citizens who died in the plane crash,” he said.
The international skating union said it was “deeply shocked” by the incident.
The emergency vehicles at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night, January 29, 2025, in Arlington, Virginia. (Kevin Wolf/AP)
“Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragedy. Artistic skating is more than a sport, it is a very united family, and we are together,” the organization said.
