Plane crash in the US reportedly claims lives of champion figure skaters married couple
In the heart-wrenching news that has left the figure skating community in shock, it was reported that Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, the world champion pair skaters, are among the missing in a fatal plane crash that occurred on January 30, 2025, in Washington D.C.
The tragic incident involved American Airlines Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, a Bombardier CRJ700, which collided midair with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The collision resulted in 67 fatalities, with 28 bodies recovered from the water.
As of Thursday, there is no belief in any survivors. The authorities are diligently working on the investigation, focusing on aviation, air traffic control, military protocols, and safety measures. However, no credible evidence or information has been confirmed that figure skaters were on the doomed flight.
Russian news agency Tass reported that Shishkova and Naumov were on board the American Airlines flight. This claim was echoed by Luke Wang, an American figure skater, who confirmed on social media that several skaters were on board the plane. Inna Volyanskaya, a legendary former pair skater who competed for the Soviet Union, was also reportedly on the flight.
The champion duo, who won the world championships in pairs figure skating in 1994, were based in the US, where they trained young ice skaters. They were married in 1995 and their winning routine was set to Johann Strauss II's Overture to the opera Die Fledermaus.
The International Skating Union issued a statement expressing condolences for the victims of the crash. US Figure Skating also confirmed that athletes, coaches, and family members on board were returning from a camp for the US figure skating championships in Kansas.
Ilia Malinin, the reigning world and national champion in men's figure skating, was not aboard the plane that crashed. He paid tribute to those lost in the fatal collision on Instagram.
The figure skating world mourns the loss of these talented athletes and individuals, and our thoughts are with their families and loved ones during this difficult time.
- Despite no official confirmation, Russian news agency Tass and American figure skater Luke Wang claimed that Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, the world champion pair skaters, were on the American Airlines Flight 5342.
- Known for their successful pair figure skating career, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who won the world championships in 1994, were based in the US and were known for their winning routine set to Johann Strauss II's Overture to the opera Die Fledermaus.
