The figure skating world mourns after several members of the skating community were aboard a flight that collided with a helicopter.
Tragic Plane Crash Claims Lives of Figure Skating Community
Tragic Plane Crash Claims Lives of Figure Skating Community
A mid-air collision near Washington DC results in the loss of multiple skating legends and young talents.
A devastating plane crash occurred on Wednesday evening when an airplane carrying 64 passengers and crew collided mid-air with a U.S. Army helicopter over Washington DC. Among those aboard were prominent figures from the figure skating world, including former Russian champions Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who were confirmed by the Figure Skating Club of Boston. The club reported that six individuals associated with their organization were on the flight, which tragically resulted in the loss of life.
Shishkova and Naumov were coaches returning from a development camp in Wichita, Kansas, where they had been working with young skaters. Also on the flight were 16-year-olds Spencer Lane and Jinna Hahn, as well as their mothers, Christine Lane and Jin Hahn, respectively. A source indicated that as many as 15 individuals connected to figure skating may have been present on the plane.
The crash is particularly felt within the Boston figure skating community, with club CEO Doug Zeghibe expressing the gravity of the situation: "Six is a horrific number for us...This will have long-reaching impacts for our skating community.” The U.S. governing body, US Figure Skating, confirmed “several members of our skating community were sadly aboard American Airlines Flight 5342,” further exacerbating the tragedy felt across the sport.
In addition to the Boston skaters, Russian officials have confirmed that other citizens, including Inna Volyanskaya, a former Soviet skater, were also on the flight. As rescue efforts transitioned into recovery, officials reported that at least 28 bodies had been recovered from the Potomac River.
In a somber reflection, many recalled a similar tragic event in 1961 when an entire U.S. figure skating team was lost in a plane crash. This recent incident has shattered the tight-knit skating community, leaving many grappling with the profound loss of both mentors and young talents alike.
