Two former world champion figure skaters, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, were aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which crashed into a military Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C. The plane, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, collided with the helicopter while en route to Ronald Reagan National Airport on January 29. The skaters, coaches, and family members were returning from the US Figure Skating Championships in Wichita.
The couple, originally from Russia, had been coaching young skaters in the U.S. since 1998. Their son, Maxim, had competed in Kansas but was not on the flight. The National Development Camp, where many on board were heading, helps young skaters prepare for major events like the 2030 Olympics.
The crash left few survivors, and recovery operations are ongoing. The NTSB is investigating the collision. Authorities are still working to identify all the victims, while officials, including President Trump and Vice President JD Vance, have expressed condolences.
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