A tragic midair collision involving an American Airlines flight and a Blackhawk Army helicopter has left the U.S. and international skating community in mourning. The crash occurred over the frigid waters of the Potomac River, killing all aboard both aircraft and ending search efforts for survivors.
Collision Details and Rescue Operation
On Wednesday, an American Airlines flight carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided with a Blackhawk helicopter conducting a night proficiency training mission with three soldiers on board. The collision caused both aircraft to crash into the icy Potomac River.
Despite immediate rescue efforts, hopes of finding survivors faded by dawn. Washington, D.C. fire chief John Donnelly confirmed on Thursday morning that the rescue operation had shifted to recovery. “We don’t believe there are any survivors,” Donnelly said, adding that recovering the remains may take time.
The bodies of all three soldiers aboard the helicopter have already been recovered, and their remains will be transferred to Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations in Dover, Delaware, for dignified handling.
Victims Include Teen Figure Skaters, Coaches, and Mothers
Among the passengers on the American Airlines flight were two young figure skaters, Jinna Han and Spencer Lane, along with their mothers and coaches.
Skaters and Coaches Killed
- Jinna Han (15 years old)
- Spencer Lane (16 years old)
- Jin Han (Jinna’s mother)
- Christine Lane (Spencer’s mother)
- Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov (Russian coaches)
Doug Zeghibe, CEO of the Skating Club of Boston, described the devastating impact of the tragedy during a news conference on Thursday. “This will have long-reaching impacts for our community,” he said, visibly emotional.
A Community in Mourning
The figure skating community is no stranger to tragedy. U.S. Figure Skating issued a statement saying they were “devastated by this unspeakable tragedy” and extended condolences to the victims’ families.
Skaters Jinna and Spencer were returning from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships after attending a development camp in Wichita, Kansas. Their coaches, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, were well-known in the skating world, having won the pairs title at the 1994 World Championships and competed in two Olympic Games. They later coached skaters in the U.S., including their son, Maxim Naumov, who competes internationally for Team USA.
The International Skating Union also released a statement, saying they were “deeply shocked and heartbroken” by the loss.
Historical Parallels in U.S. Figure Skating Tragedies
This isn’t the first air tragedy to impact U.S. figure skating. In 1961, the entire 18-member U.S. team died in a crash near Brussels while on their way to compete in the world championships in Prague. Several coaches and officials were also killed, leaving a lasting void in the sport’s history.
Russia Reacts to the Loss of Two Citizens
Russian coaches Shishkova and Naumov were confirmed aboard the flight by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. “Unfortunately, we see that this sad information is being confirmed,” Peskov said. “There were other fellow citizens there. Bad news today from Washington. We send condolences to the families and friends who lost those of our fellow citizens who died in the plane crash.”
Details of the Army Helicopter Crew
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the three soldiers aboard the Blackhawk were conducting an annual night proficiency training flight. They were described as a “fairly experienced crew.” As of Thursday, their names had not been released pending notification of next of kin.
American Airlines Response
American Airlines has set up hotline centers in Washington and Wichita to assist family members searching for information about loved ones. The airline has expressed deep sorrow and is providing support to affected families.
The collision over the Potomac River has left a deep mark on the skating and military communities, highlighting the unpredictability of tragedy. With the loss of promising skaters, devoted coaches, and dedicated soldiers, the crash will be remembered for years to come. As investigations begin to uncover how such a devastating incident occurred, the focus now turns to offering support and solace to the victims’ loved ones.
