Washington, DC Plane Crash, Married World Champion Figure Skaters Were Reportedly Aboard the Flight

A devastating midair collision over the Potomac River on January 29, 2025, has resulted in one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent U.S. history. A commercial passenger jet carrying 64 people crashed into the river after colliding with a military helicopter while on its final approach to Reagan National Airport. Search and rescue teams are working in freezing temperatures as officials assess the full extent of the tragedy. Among the passengers were several world-champion athletes returning from a major figure skating event.

The aircraft, American Airlines Flight 5342, departed Wichita, Kansas, earlier that evening and was just minutes from landing when disaster struck. At approximately 8:47 p.m., live webcam footage from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts reportedly captured a bright fireball in the night sky, followed by a thick trail of smoke. By 8:53 p.m., emergency calls flooded in, alerting authorities to a catastrophic crash above the icy waters of the Potomac.

First responders, including over 300 emergency personnel, arrived at the crash site within minutes. The wreckage was scattered across the river, making recovery efforts exceedingly difficult. As of early Thursday morning, at least 19 bodies had been recovered, though officials fear there may be no survivors.

D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly described the conditions as “highly complex,” citing strong winds, near-freezing water temperatures, and limited visibility. “We’re doing everything we can,” he stated, emphasizing that the frigid temperatures pose a severe risk to any survivors who may still be in the water.

Officials confirmed that the military helicopter, assigned to Fort Belvoir, Virginia, had three soldiers on board. The chopper was reportedly conducting a routine training exercise when it collided with the passenger jet. Investigators are now working to determine how such a catastrophic failure in coordination occurred in one of the nation’s busiest airspaces.

U.S. Figure Skating has since confirmed that multiple athletes, coaches, and family members were aboard the flight, returning from a development camp. “We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts,” the organization stated.

Among those feared lost are world-champion figure skaters Vadim Naumov and his wife, Evgenia Shishkova, a legendary pair in the sport. The couple, known for their dazzling performances in the 1990s, had dedicated their later years to coaching young athletes in the United States. Their son, Maxim Naumov, a rising star who had just competed at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, was also reportedly on board.

Inna Volyanskaya, a former competitive skater and esteemed coach at the Washington Figure Skating Club, has also been named among the missing.

Tributes have poured in from around the world. One fan wrote, “I remember them competing. What a tragedy.” Another added, “They were not just incredible skaters but wonderful people. This is heartbreaking.”

The crash has left the figure skating community in mourning, as families and friends anxiously await official confirmation of the victims.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a full investigation into the collision. Air traffic control recordings reveal that just before impact, controllers had instructed the helicopter to maneuver around the approaching jet. The helicopter pilot confirmed visual contact and requested separation, but within seconds, the worst had happened.

All flights at Reagan National Airport were immediately suspended in the aftermath of the crash. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, speaking at a press conference, vowed that “we will recover our fellow citizens,” but declined to provide an exact number of casualties. Authorities have also yet to release a complete passenger list.

With river temperatures hovering near 35 degrees Fahrenheit, time is running out. Hypothermia sets in within minutes, and survival in such conditions is nearly impossible beyond an hour.

The FBI’s Washington Field Office dive team has now joined the search, navigating the treacherous waters of the Potomac to recover any remaining passengers and critical evidence. Investigators hope to locate the flight data recorders—commonly known as black boxes—which could provide crucial insights into the moments leading up to the tragedy.

This is the worst commercial aviation disaster in the United States since 2009, when Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed near Buffalo, claiming 49 lives. Other major incidents in recent years include the 2013 Asiana Airlines crash in San Francisco and the 2018 Southwest Airlines accident that resulted in the tragic death of a passenger after an engine failure.

With the search-and-recovery efforts expected to continue for days, families of those on board are left in agonizing uncertainty. The American Airlines check-in desk at Reagan National Airport has become a gathering place for grieving relatives, where counselors are offering support to those awaiting confirmation of their worst fears.

This is a developing story. More details will be released as the investigation unfolds.

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