a tragic loss

Figure skaters among the victims in devastating Washington D.C plane crash

U.S. Figure Skating confirmed that multiple members of its community were on board the ill-fated flight

Senior Writer

JANUARY 30, 2025 1:49 PM ESTJAN 30, 2025, 1:49 PM EST

Figure skaters were reported among the victims of the first major commercial plane crash in the United States since 2009, officials confirmed. The devastating accident, which occurred Wednesday, January 29, 2025, evening near Reagan National Airport, has left the sports and figure skating community in mourning.

Doug Zeghibe, CEO and executive director of the Skating Club of Boston, expressed profound grief over the loss of six members, including two coaches, two teenage athletes, and two athletes' mothers.

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA - JANUARY 30: Emergency response units search the crash site of an American Airlines plane on the Potomac River after an accident last night while on approach to Reagan National Airport on January 30, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. The American Airlines flight from Wichita, Kansas collided midair with a military Black Hawk helicopter while on approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. According to reports, there were no survivors among the 67 people on both aircraft. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)

"Our sport and this club have suffered a horrible loss with this tragedy," Zeghibe said. "Skating is a tight-knit community where parents and kids come together six or seven days a week to train and work together. Everyone is like family. We are devastated and completely at a loss for words."

Mourning a Profound Loss

Wichita Mayor Lily Wu, visibly emotional, offered condolences during a press conference. "Our hearts are heavy as a city," Wu said. "Our hearts are heavy as a city council, and we are here to provide the support needed for our community."

8 MAR1995: EVGENIA SHISHKOVA AND VADIM NAUMOV OF RUSSIA IN ACTION DURING THE PAIRS FREE SKATING OF THE WORLD FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS AT THE NATIONAL INDOOR ARENA IN BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND. Mandatory Credit: Chris Cole/ALLSPORT

Among those lost from the Skating Club of Boston were teenage skaters Jinna Han and Spencer Lane and their mothers, Jin Han and Molly Lane. Coaches Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, the 1994 World Pair Champions who had been coaching at the club since 2017, were also on board. "Six is a horrific number for us, but we're fortunate and grateful it wasn't more than six," Zeghibe added. "This will have long-reaching impacts for our skating community."

Natalya Gudin, wife of coach Alexandr Kirsanov, expressed her devastation, saying she has "lost everything." Kirsanov, who coached two young skaters on the flight, had traveled to the development camp in Wichita while Gudin remained in Delaware. "I lost my husband, I lost my students, I lost my friends," she said. "I need my husband back. I need his body back."

The Skating Community Remembers

U.S. Figure Skating confirmed that multiple members of its community were on board the ill-fated flight. "These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas," the organization stated. "We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims' families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available."

Officials have yet to confirm the total number of fatalities, though Russian media reported that two Russian figure skaters were aboard the flight. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov offered condolences.

A History of Tragedy

This is not the first time the U.S. figure skating community has suffered a tragic loss due to an aviation disaster. On February 15, 1961, the entire U.S. figure skating team perished in the crash of Sabena Flight 548 while en route to the World Figure Skating Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia. The accident claimed the lives of 16 skaters, along with their coaches and family members.

Family picture of the US figure skating team before boarding the Sabena Flight 548, on February 15, 1961 in New-York that crashed near Brussels, Belgium, killing 72 people in which the entire United States Figure Skating team on its way to the 1961 World Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia. (Photo credit should read STF/AFP via Getty Images)

The last major commercial plane crash in the U.S. occurred on February 12, 2009, when Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed near Buffalo Niagara International Airport, killing 49 passengers and crew members.

Moving Forward

The impact of this tragedy will be felt deeply across the figure skating world for years to come. As investigations into the crash continue, the skating community mourns the loss of talented athletes, dedicated coaches, and loving family members who were taken far too soon.

Memorials and tributes are expected to follow as the tight-knit figure skating community comes together in remembrance and support during this heartbreaking time.