Plane crash in the US may have claimed lives of prominent figure skaters, husband and wife champions
In a tragic incident on January 30, 2025, an American Airlines regional jet (Flight 5342) collided mid-air with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, resulting in a fatal accident that claimed the lives of 67 individuals[1][2][3][4][5]. However, despite initial speculation, no credible search results or official sources have mentioned any figure skaters among the victims or suggested that any were feared dead in connection with this accident.
The crash, which occurred in Washington D.C., involved at least 64 passengers and crew on the American Airlines plane[6]. Among the passengers were several figure skaters, coaches, and family members[7]. Notably, former Soviet Union figure skater Inna Volyanskaya was on board the fateful flight[8].
However, the identities of the skaters have yet to be confirmed[9]. American figure skater Luke Wang has confirmed that several skaters were on board the plane[9]. Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, former world champions in figure skating, were also passengers on the flight[10]. The couple, who won the world championships in pairs figure skating in 1994 and were married in 1995, were set to perform a routine to Johann Strauss II's Overture to the opera Die Fledermaus at the upcoming US figure skating championships[11].
Ilia Malinin, the reigning world and national champion in men's figure skating, was not aboard the plane that crashed[12]. Malinin paid tribute to those lost in the fatal collision on Instagram.
The International Skating Union issued a statement expressing condolences for the victims of the crash[13]. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is conducting a detailed investigation into the incident, focusing on air traffic control failures and helicopter altimeter issues[2][5]. However, no mention has been made of the passengers' specific identities such as figure skaters or athletes.
At least 28 bodies have been recovered from the water[6]. As the investigation continues, the public awaits confirmation of the identities of the victims and closure in this tragic incident.
Sports enthusiasts are mourning the loss of several figure skaters, coaches, and family members in the tragic mid-air collision that occurred near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on January 30, 2025. Among the deceased were former Soviet Union figure skater Inna Volyanskaya, as well as Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, former world champions in pair skating. They were set to perform a routine at the upcoming US figure skating championships.
