'Several Members' of the United States Figure Skating Team Were Onboard American Airlines Flight Involved in Tragic D.C. Crash
- Members of the United States Figure Skating team were onboard the American Airlines flight that crashed with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over Washington, D.C., with no survivors located so far.
Several members of the United States Figure Skating team were onboard the American Airlines flight that was involved in a crash with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over Washington, D.C., last night, Jan. 29.
U.S Figure Skating revealed in a statement that an unconfirmed number of members of the revered team, along with coaches and family members, were traveling on the plane from Wichita, Kan. to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
"...several members of our skating community were sadly aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a helicopter yesterday evening in Washington, D.C." the organization confirmed to Parade . "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."
A representative for the organization added, "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."
64 people were aboard the plane in total, including four members of the flight crew. Several bodies have reportedly been recovered from the Potomac River so far, according to multiple outlets, but no survivors have been located.
Three soldiers were aboard the Army helicopter.
Per the New York Times , American pairs figure skater Jon Maravillatold RIA Novosti , a Russian state news agency, that "about 14 figure skaters" were onboard, "not counting their parents and coaches."
Russian outlets have reported that coaches and former world champions Yevgenia Shishkovaand Vadim Naumov were onboard as well, according to Reuters . Their son, Maxim, who was in Wichita with them was reportedly not onboard the flight.
Up to 13 other young Russian skaters may have been onboard according to the publication, but, as the investigation, rescue, and recovery efforts are all ongoing, the identities of those onboard have not yet been confirmed.
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