The world of figure skating is mourning an unspeakable loss following the devastating midair collision near Washington, D.C. Among the victims were beloved coaches and former world champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, whose lives were tragically cut short in the disaster.
As new details emerge about the catastrophic crash, the skating community, along with families of those aboard, faces an unbearable reality—many of the brightest young talents and their mentors never made it home.
A Skating Community in Shock
U.S. Figure Skating confirmed that multiple athletes, coaches, and family members were on board American Airlines Flight 5342 when it collided with a military Black Hawk helicopter on the night of January 29. The flight had departed Wichita, Kansas, following the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and National Development Camp, which had served as a launching pad for future Olympic hopefuls.
Among those aboard were Russian-born skating legends Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, a married pair who won the 1994 world championship in pairs figure skating. Since 1998, they had lived in the United States, dedicating their careers to training the next generation of skaters.
Their deaths have left a void in the figure skating world.
“They were my favorite athletes,” their former coach, Ludmila Velikova, said in a heartbreaking statement from St. Petersburg. “Apart from anything else, they were like my children. Zhenya [Shishkova] trained with me from the age of 11, and Vadim from 14. The best people have been taken from us.”
A Devastating Collision in the Night Sky
Authorities confirmed that American Airlines Flight 5342, a Bombardier CRJ700 operated by PSA Airlines, was preparing to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport when it collided with the Army helicopter. The plane carried 60 passengers and four crew members, while the Black Hawk had three military personnel aboard.
Chilling footage captured from a nearby building shows the exact moment the two aircraft struck midair, exploding in flames before crashing into the icy waters of the Potomac River.
So far, 28 bodies have been recovered, including 27 from the plane and one from the helicopter. Officials have warned that the extreme cold and difficult conditions are complicating recovery efforts.
The Final Moments of a Rising Star
As more details of the tragedy emerge, stories of the lives lost paint an even more heartbreaking picture. Among those onboard was Spencer Lane, a promising young skater whose dream was to one day compete at the Olympics.
Just hours before the crash, Lane shared a photo on Instagram from his seat on the plane. The image, taken from his window, showed the aircraft’s wing against the darkening sky. His caption hinted at excitement for the future.
Now, that future is gone.
“He was so proud to be at the development camp,” said Christine Brennan, a longtime sports analyst. “It was a stepping stone toward something much bigger. To think that these young skaters, these families, these brilliant coaches were on that flight is devastating.”
A President’s Response
The tragedy has prompted national mourning, with government officials addressing the disaster. President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to weigh in on the collision, calling it a “bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented.”
He questioned why the helicopter did not maneuver out of the way, writing:
“It was a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn? Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane?”
Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance urged Americans to “say a prayer for everyone involved,” while White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called the crash a “tragic event,” stating that President Trump is being briefed regularly on the situation.
An Urgent Search in Freezing Waters
Rescue efforts continue under grueling conditions. More than 300 emergency responders are scouring the Potomac River, battling strong currents, near-freezing temperatures, and debris from the shattered aircraft.
“It’s a highly complex operation,” said D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly. “The conditions are extremely rough, with ice on the water, strong winds, and dangerously cold temperatures.”
Rescuers have warned that survival time in water this cold is limited. Hypothermia sets in quickly, making the chances of finding anyone alive increasingly slim.
A Heartbreaking Future for the Skating World
While officials have not yet released a full list of those onboard, reports indicate that up to 14 figure skaters and coaches were on the flight. Among them were two young skaters who had competed in Wichita just days before.
Maxim Naumov, the son of Shishkova and Naumov, was also at the championships, but his family’s coach confirmed that he was not on the ill-fated flight. The relief that he survived is bittersweet, as he now faces the unbearable grief of losing both of his parents in a single moment.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an official investigation into what went wrong. Questions about air traffic control instructions, visibility, and the helicopter’s flight path remain unanswered.
Holding Onto Their Legacy
For now, the world mourns. The figure skating community has been left reeling from the loss of some of its brightest talents. Those who knew Shishkova and Naumov remember them as not only champions on the ice but as passionate, dedicated mentors who poured their hearts into their students.
“They shaped so many young skaters,” said one fellow coach. “Their impact on this sport will never be forgotten.”
A vigil has been planned in Wichita to honor the victims, while the figure skating world comes together to grieve and remember those lost far too soon.
The lives taken in this tragedy will not be forgotten. Their legacy will live on in the students they taught, the performances they inspired, and the hearts they touched.
