U.S. Figure Skating confirms that athletes, coaches, and family members were on American Airlines Flight 5342 that crashed in D.C.

[Yehudi]

From last week, but Marina Eltsova was interviewed.

https://www.kansascity.com/news/article299529854.html

 

[Sylvia]

Thank you @Yehudi - I've shared the Shishkova/Naumov-related excerpts in their tribute thread in case the article is paywalled (post #24), along with personal tributes by Katie Orscher, Johnny Weir and several others in the skating world: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/remembering-shishkova-naumov.112587/

Laura Bauer also wrote a longer article for the Kansas City Star (Feb. 5) - ‘Our whole skating future.’ A generation of youth inconsolable after deadly plane crash: https://www.kansascity.com/news/article299733264.html

Excerpts that touched me:

Coaches know their youngest students are struggling.
In some instances, skaters from clubs affected by the deaths are coming home from school early, unable to focus. Too many have never had someone close to them die, [ION FSC coach Maria Elena] Pinto said. Others have closed themselves up, unable to share the grief they’re feeling.
“This is hitting these kids really, really hard,” Pinto said. “They’re a mess, you know, and I’ve got, like, all these little voices on the other end of the phone calling me sobbing. They can’t understand it.
“Kids normally think old people die, not a girl who just turned 12 in November,” Pinto said, referring to Olivia [Eve Ter].

“Yes, it is very hard to even process,” said Rashid Kadyrkaev, a coach at the Ion International Training Center, who worked with four of the 11 athletes, including Olivia. He knew the majority of those from the figure skating community on the plane.
“You’re basically in a fog,” he said. “Brain wise, things are flying in your head. I just look at everything different.
“There’s a sorrow I can’t describe. Definitely very emotional.” [...]
“I’m 61, I’m still breathing and working,” Kadyrkaev said, “and they are gone. It’s just not right.”
He said he now tries to focus on the brightness the young skaters brought, how they wanted to come to the rink and work on their fundamentals so they could achieve great things.
“Every single child is a diamond,” Kadyrkaev said. “And we have to polish and polish them and they will be super. And (we) help them to reach their dreams.”
He let out a heavy sigh. His mind is still consumed with everything that has happened since last Wednesday evening and the mid-air collision.
“And unfortunately, we lost them.”
[...] Kadyrkaev, also from Russia, knew the couple [Shishkova/Naumov].
“We lost good coaches,” he said, his voice breaking. “Dedicated. They could have gone so far. So successful.”
Many in figure skating are now trying to wrap their son Maxim with support and love, he said.

On Friday, Pinto said she forgot to cancel her classes inside the Ion training facility. One of her students who has special needs came to the rink and had trouble processing what had happened to Olivia.
“(The student) was like, ‘Wait, she’s my age,’” Pinto said, recalling the conversation she had with her student. “‘She used to do her jumps over there, and she would spin over there.’”
At one point, Pinto said, the young skater, who thought the “energy” wasn’t right inside the arena, said: “I can’t be here. I don’t know if I can do this. I don’t know if I can skate.”
The coach spoke with patience and a strong understanding, as the pain was still so fresh for her too.
“Well, you know, if you miss her, this is where she skated,” Pinto told her student.
That made sense.
“I could feel close to her here,” the student said.
With Pinto’s arm around the skater, the two circled the rink.
“This is where they feel her,” Pinto said.

At just 12, Olivia was an old soul and wise and mature, those who knew her said. So talented on the ice that many felt she would make the Olympics one day.
“But then, she’d also just be a kid,” Pinto said. “With this goofy little giggle.”
Sergii Baranov, Olivia’s coach, is a “serious man,” Pinto said. She and Olivia loved to have fun with him. Sometimes they would work together to steal his hat and keep it away from him.
Then there was their effort to train him on all things Taylor Swift, Olivia’s favorite.
Pinto would play her songs for the young skater and she and Olivia would have to explain some of the lyrics to Baranov, who’s from Ukraine. Take the song, “Blank Space,” Baranov was stuck on the line, “You look like my next mistake.”
“He’s like, ‘What is this? What does this mean?” Pinto recalled. “And the two of us were giggling, and we explained it to him. And he started laughing.”
Baranov got to the point he would “actually dance and sing to Taylor Swift,” Pinto said.
“We turned him into a Swiftie,” she said. “That child was so special and so adorable, because I’m telling you, no other child could have made this man a Swiftie.”

Gracie Gold's Instagram post was referenced in the article (Cory, Eddie and Spencer are standing in the back):

Gracie Gold on Instagram: "It’s been days and yet I still can’t seem to find the right words to express the pain of the unimaginable loss of our athletes on American Airlines Flight 5342 It is a tragedy that has left us all heartbroken and empty. T

11K likes, 87 comments - graciegold95 on February 4, 2025: "It’s been days and yet I still can’t seem to find the right words to express the pain of the unimaginable loss of our athletes on American Airlines Flight 5342 It is a tragedy that has left us all heartbroken and empty. These...

www.instagram.com

 

[tangerine dream]

Just a sampling of rink tributes yesterday:

Ice House of Hackensack, NJ (1-minute video):

Ice House Hackensack on Instagram: "Yesterday our skaters, coaches and their families joined the skating community from rinks across the country to remember the victims of flight AA5342. 💔"

164 likes, 1 comments - icehousenj on February 4, 2025: "Yesterday our skaters, coaches and their families joined the skating community from rinks across the country to remember the victims of flight AA5342. 💔".

www.instagram.com

Oklahoma City FSC’s video:

Amanda Taylor on Instagram: "OKC sending love from the ice ❤️‍🩹 This is what happened as I watched from the stands. They all held hands and honored those killed in the DC plane crash. #figureskating #oklahoma #iceskating #planecrash @okcfigureskating

18K likes, 465 comments - amandataylornews9 on February 1, 2025: "OKC sending love from the ice ❤️‍🩹 This is what happened as I watched from the stands. They all held hands and honored those killed in the DC plane crash. #figureskating #oklahoma #iceskating #planecrash @okcfigureskating...

www.instagram.com

Detroit Skating Club:

Detroit Skating Club on Instagram: "Remembering those we’ve lost and sending love to our skating community - Flight 5342 - never forgotten ❤️⛸️"

537 likes, 3 comments - dscclub on February 3, 2025: "Remembering those we’ve lost and sending love to our skating community - Flight 5342 - never forgotten ❤️⛸️".

www.instagram.com

The red 2025 National Development Team jacket was Spencer Lane’s (he had traded jackets with another member of the club).

Arctic Edge in Canton, MI (acting USFS president Amanda Evora, who coaches at this rink, gave an emotional tribute speech; Charlie & Tanith can be seen standing with their hockey player son):

Arctic Edge Training Center on Instagram: "Today, AFSC, MIDA, and Canton High School Hockey joined rinks across the country in a moment of remembrance for the lives lost in the tragic crash of Flight #AA5342 last week. At 3:35 PM, ET, skaters at more

91 likes, 0 comments - arctic_edge_training_center on February 3, 2025: "Today, AFSC, MIDA, and Canton High School Hockey joined rinks across the country in a moment of remembrance for the lives lost in the tragic crash of Flight #AA5342 last week. At 3:35 PM, ET, skaters at more than 100 rinks...

www.instagram.com

Full 10+ minute video of the tribute can be watched here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFoBTeRsb4j/

SC of New York at Wollmann rink in Central Park:

The Skating Club of New York on Instagram: "The SCNY community gathered tonight at Wollman Rink to pay tribute to and honor the 28 members of the US Figure Skating family who perished on American Airlines Flight 5342"

1,415 likes, 4 comments - skatingclubofny on February 3, 2025: "The SCNY community gathered tonight at Wollman Rink to pay tribute to and honor the 28 members of the US Figure Skating family who perished on American Airlines Flight 5342".

www.instagram.com

Kaitlyn Weaver was there: https://www.instagram.com/p/DFoP8Tiyu8E/

Elite Training Team (Mathew Gates’ group) near Charlotte, North Carolina:

ELITE TRAINING TEAM - NC on Instagram: "Remembering Flight 5342. Today, we stand together as a community, honoring the lives lost and supporting those forever changed. In grief, we found strength. In remembrance, we find unity. Though time moves forw

178 likes, 2 comments - elitetrainingteamnc on February 3, 2025: "Remembering Flight 5342. Today, we stand together as a community, honoring the lives lost and supporting those forever changed. In grief, we found strength. In remembrance, we find unity. Though time moves forward, their memory...

www.instagram.com

Nashville FSC:

Figure Skaters Online on Instagram: "Team FSO’s @maura.sullivan.hill , who is also a coach at the @nashvilleskating, sent us photos of the Nashville Skating Academy gathering for a moment of silence to remember the 28 members of the figure skating co

111 likes, 0 comments - figureskatersonline on February 3, 2025: "Team FSO’s @maura.sullivan.hill , who is also a coach at the @nashvilleskating, sent us photos of the Nashville Skating Academy gathering for a moment of silence to remember the 28 members of the figure skating community that we...

www.instagram.com

Go4Gold Skating Academy in Shakopee, MN:

Go4Gold Skating Academy on Instagram: "Yesterday we held a moment of silence at 2:35 CT for the lives lost on flight 5342. We are heartbroken and mourning with the entire figure skating community and our sincerest thoughts and prayers are with the fa

469 likes, 6 comments - go4goldskatingacademy on February 4, 2025: "Yesterday we held a moment of silence at 2:35 CT for the lives lost on flight 5342. We are heartbroken and mourning with the entire figure skating community and our sincerest thoughts and prayers are with the families of those...

www.instagram.com

Ten80 team at Great Park Ice in Irvine, CA:

𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐭 on Instagram: "We stood together today in a moment of silence, honoring the friends, athletes, and colleagues we lost on Flight 5342. The figure skating world is more than just a community—it’s a family. When one of us falls, we all feel

1,201 likes, 15 comments - seanrabbitt on February 3, 2025: "We stood together today in a moment of silence, honoring the friends, athletes, and colleagues we lost on Flight 5342. The figure skating world is more than just a community—it’s a family. When one of us falls, we all feel it. But when...

www.instagram.com

Oakland, CA Ice Center & Sharks Ice San Jose:

Oakland Ice Center on Instagram: "Today, the Oakland Ice Center and Sharks Ice San Jose joined rinks across the country in a moment of remembrance for the lives lost in the tragic crash of Flight AA5342 last week. We will always hold a special place

281 likes, 0 comments - oic_sharksice on February 3, 2025: "Today, the Oakland Ice Center and Sharks Ice San Jose joined rinks across the country in a moment of remembrance for the lives lost in the tragic crash of Flight AA5342 last week. We will always hold a special place in our hearts for...

www.instagram.com

Gloucester Skating Club (Orleans, Ontario, Canada):

Gloucester Skating Club on Instagram: "The GSC Competitive Team skaters gather here today for a Memorial Vigil In memory of Flight AA5342 We will take this time to observe a moment of silence in loving memory of the incredible skaters, coaches and f

199 likes, 0 comments - gloucesterskatingclub on February 3, 2025: "The GSC Competitive Team skaters gather here today for a Memorial Vigil In memory of Flight AA5342 We will take this time to observe a moment of silence in loving memory of the incredible skaters, coaches and families who are...

www.instagram.com

Last night's vigil held at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, CO (Amber Glenn & Danny O'Shea in photo #7):

U.S. Figure Skating on Instagram: "The love and support of the skating world is strong. ❤️⛸️ The Colorado Springs community came together to honor the 28 athletes, coaches and family members we lost in the tragic crash on Jan. 29. Thank you to the

18K likes, 82 comments - usfigureskating on February 3, 2025: "The love and support of the skating world is strong. ❤️⛸️ The Colorado Springs community came together to honor the 28 athletes, coaches and family members we lost in the tragic crash on Jan. 29. Thank you to the @usopmuseum for...

www.instagram.com

Video from the SCNY tribute courtesy of On Ice Perspectives.

On Ice Perspectives ❄️🎥 on Instagram: "On Monday, February 3rd, over one hundred Skating Club of New York members gathered at Wollman Rink in Central Park to honor and remember those lost on flight AA5342. Among those in attendance were three young S

5,314 likes, 87 comments - oniceperspectives on February 5, 2025: "On Monday, February 3rd, over one hundred Skating Club of New York members gathered at Wollman Rink in Central Park to honor and remember those lost on flight AA5342. Among those in attendance were three young SCNY members who...

www.instagram.com

 

[ballettmaus]

Gracie Gold's Instagram post was referenced in the article (Cory, Eddie and Spencer are standing in the back):

Gracie Gold on Instagram: "It’s been days and yet I still can’t seem to find the right words to express the pain of the unimaginable loss of our athletes on American Airlines Flight 5342 It is a tragedy that has left us all heartbroken and empty. T

11K likes, 87 comments - graciegold95 on February 4, 2025: "It’s been days and yet I still can’t seem to find the right words to express the pain of the unimaginable loss of our athletes on American Airlines Flight 5342 It is a tragedy that has left us all heartbroken and empty. These...

www.instagram.com

Her words are beautiful (and heartfelt) overall but I especially liked how she ended the post.

 

[livetoskate]

This Falls Church, Virginia news article has quotes from Surya Bonaly and Galit Chait:

Airplane Tragedy Strikes the USA Figure Skating Community – Falls Church News-Press Online

 

[livetoskate]

Yang/Kay's performance at Midwestern sectionals in November:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

'Selfless' Parents and 'Amazing' 16-Year-Old Died Together in D.C. Plane Crash, Friend Says (Exclusive)

'Selfless' Parents and 'Amazing' 16-Year-Old Died Together in D.C. Plane Crash, Friend Says (Exclusive) — People

Parents Roger and Stephanie Haynos and their 16-year-old son were on board the American Airlines plane when it collided with a U.S. Army helicopter on Jan. 29

apple.news

PARENTS ROGER AND STEPHANIE HAYNOS AND THEIR 16-YEAR-OLD SON WERE ON BOARD THE AMERICAN AIRLINES PLANE WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH A U.S. ARMY HELICOPTER ON JAN. 29

 

[Lynn226]

I just saw this pin on Facebook. In the comments section, U.S. Figure Skating says merchandise will be available soon.

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

www.facebook.com

 

[Allskate]

“Legacy on Ice” Benefit at Capital One Arena to Support Victims of the Tragedy at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

It would be really wonderful if the performing artists whose music is used by the skaters exhibitions would be willing to allow their music to be used without copyright restriction to allow for a paid stream. I would certainly donate $5 or $10 to watch a live stream.

It's going to be on NBC Sports and Peacock. I hope that they are making a significant contribution.

 

[just tuned in]

Wissahickon Skating Club (NW Philly) will be hosting a tribute fundraiser on Saturday, March 8 at 7pm. Nancy Kerrigan is involved, other stars to be named. Tickets are $50. The website registration is not up yet, but some information is here: https://www.wissskating.com/#event=77904666

 

[just tuned in]

Join us for "Skate from the Heart" Benefit Exhibition​

Join us for the "Skate from the Heart" Benefit Exhibition, on Saturday, March 8, at 7 PM, hosted by Wissahickon Skating Club, 550 West Willow Grove Avenue • Philadelphia, PA 19118

Support the families and loved ones affected by the tragic crash of Flight #5342. All proceeds will go directly to the U.S. Figure Skating Family Support Fund.

Event Attendance Purchase Options:

1. VIP – (Limit of 100) $150 per person (Must be purchased by 3/1/25)

• Includes Admission, Dinner w/Open Bar, Preferred Seating and Lounge Level Seating, Post-Show Open Skate
• This option is for our guests ages 21+
• Open Bar 6:15-9:30 PM
• Catered Italian Style Buffet Served in Lounge from 6:15-9:00 PM

2. General Admission – (Limit of 300) $50 per adult, $25 per child 12 and under

• Includes Admission, Bleacher Seating

3. Donation Only (Does not include Exhibition)

• Option of $50, $100, $150, $250, $500
• Donations of $1000 or more-contact [email protected] to be included in event playbill and website before 3/5/25

Figure Skating Benefit Exhibition Tickets, VIP and Donations

Coming Soon! Detailed Performance Schedule of Events VIP Ticket Holders: Doors Open at 6:15 PM General Admission Doors open at 6:45 PM Skate from the Heart Exhibition Performers (still adding at the time of this post) Meghan Hoffman Emmanuel Savary Caroline & Brendan Mullen Nick...

www.wissskating.com

Click Here to Purchase VIP Tickets by 3/1, General Admission Tickets or to Make a Donation

Rink space is limited to the quantities listed above.

• VIP Ticket Holders: Doors Open at 6:15 PM
• General Admission Doors open at 6:45 PM

Skate from the Heart Exhibition Performers (still adding at the time of this post)​

• Meghan Hoffman
• Emmanuel Savary
• Caroline & Brendan Mullen
• Nick Bausenwein
• Leah Krauscopf & Yuanshi Jin
• Nicole Kirsonov
• Samantha Kay, Skyler Kay, Stellan Kay

 

[marshallpond]

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/flight-5342-memorial-skating-performance-tickets-1238141216709

https://imgur.com/a/h0zSvT2

Flight 5342 Memorial Skating Performance: A special tribute performance honoring the skaters lost on Flight 5342.

Date and time: Saturday, March 8 · 3:30 - 5pm CST. Doors at 3pm
Location: Centennial Ice Rink, 2300 Old Glenview Road Wilmette, IL 60091

A special tribute honoring the memory of the USFSA skaters lost from Flight 5342.

This event will feature performances by National level skaters, National Development Camp Athletes and special guest commentator Chris Howarth.

There will be a silent auction that will begin 30 mins prior to the show. Seats are on a first come basis.

This is a non for profit event supported by Dupage FSC.

All proceeds will be donated to the skate families affected by this tragedy.

 

[marshallpond]

https://imgur.com/a/z9YDvB6

Detroit Skating Club https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1253770889530549&set=a.602199574687687
We are hosting a live figure skating tribute exhibition to honor and support the families and loved ones affected by the tragedy of Flight 5342.

Performers include International, National and National Development Team skaters and medalists from DSC as well as other local and national rinks.

Tickets are on sale now

General admission - suggested donated $25
Reserved gold seats - $50
VIP tables - $400 (seats 4)

To reserve tickets ahead of time, please call Andrea at (248)332-3000 ext. 1100. Tickets can also be purchased at the door. Gold seats and VIP tables are limited and will be sold first come first serve. You can call today to purchase.
See less
— at Detroit Skating Club.

 

[marshallpond]

Some of the performers at the DSC Skate for Flight 5342 show include:

Amy Cui and Jonathan Rogers
Takumi Sugiyama
Eva Pate and Logan Bye
Vadym Kolesnik
Emilia Nemirovsky
Jon Maravilla
Daniela Ivanitskiy and Matthew Sperry
Raffaella Koncius and Alexey Shchepetov
Michelle Deych and Ryan Hu
Saya Carpenter and Jon Maravilla
Ava Aversano and Christian Bennett

Most of the performers are from DSC and Novi, though the younger sibling of Mokhova/Mokhov pairs team who is from Grand Rapids FSC is performing (Mikhail Mokhov was at the National Development Team camp). Koncius and Shchepetov I think trains in Canton. I was hoping that Bratti and Sommerville will be performing, but I heard that they asked USFS if they could perform in the DC show and was added to the list of performers there.

I think the organizers just forgot to put Vadym's partner's name. Maravilla is doing pairs as well as a solo number, skating to the planned music of Cory Haynos for this upcoming season.

 

[Tinycities]

Some of the performers at the DSC Skate for Flight 5342 show include:

Amy Cui and Jonathan Rogers
Takumi Sugiyama
Eva Pate and Logan Bye
Vadym Kolesnik
Emilia Nemirovsky
Jon Maravilla
Daniela Ivanitskiy and Matthew Sperry
Raffaella Koncius and Alexey Shchepetov
Michelle Deych and Ryan Hu
Saya Carpenter and Jon Maravilla
Ava Aversano and Christian Bennett

Most of the performers are from DSC and Novi, though the younger sibling of Mokhova/Mokhov pairs team who is from Grand Rapids FSC is performing (Mikhail Mokhov was at the National Development Team camp). Koncius and Shchepetov I think trains in Canton. I was hoping that Bratti and Sommerville will be performing, but I heard that they asked USFS if they could perform in the DC show and was added to the list of performers there.

I think the organizers just forgot to put Vadym's partner's name. Maravilla is doing pairs as well as a solo number, skating to the planned music of Cory Haynos for this upcoming season.

Emilea Zingas posted from a hospital on TikTok today, so I’m guessing Vadym is skating alone. Hope she’s doing alright.

Arnt bratti & Somerville both from the Maryland/dc area? Probably a personal connection for them.

 

[BittyBug]

"It still doesn't feel real."

‘It still doesn’t feel real’: At the Skating Club of Boston, grief looms over the daily training grind - The Boston Globe

Weeks after the plane crash, skating club gets back to work while weathering waves of anguish.

www.bostonglobe.com

 

[tockyolina]

"It still doesn't feel real."

‘It still doesn’t feel real’: At the Skating Club of Boston, grief looms over the daily training grind - The Boston Globe

Weeks after the plane crash, skating club gets back to work while weathering waves of anguish.

www.bostonglobe.com

Can you paste and copy interesting excerpts? I have no access--- Thanks.

 

[BittyBug]

It's a story about endurance (both mental and physical).

Covering one wall on the side of the rink is a massive timeline chronicling the club’s rich history. Its narrative is intertwined with the development of figure skating in the US. The club was founded in 1912. By 1963, it had produced eight female figure skating national champions.....The last photo in the timeline shows the smiling Shishkova and Naumov, the two coaches who died in the D.C. plane crash. They are flanking their son, Maxim Naumov, who was competing at the US Championships in Kansas but traveled home Sunday before his parents.

Becky Stump, the club’s coaching director, choked up when talking about that family and the club’s culture. Shishkova, she said, was “an absolute sweetheart,” while Naumov “really cared about his skaters, not just as skaters but as people, which is not always the case with coaches”

Originally from Russia, Shishkova and Naumov won the pairs title at the 1994 world championships and competed twice in the Olympics. They were also “good people,” Stump said.

Stump texted Naumov while he was in Wichita, saying she hoped his son, Maxim, would skate well at the US Championships, and included a prayer hands emoji. After Maxim finished fourth, Naumov messaged her: ”God heard your prayers, Becky.”

“Now, I’m reading it and I’m like ‘Oh God,’” she said.

Maxim has not trained since the crash that took his parents’ lives, Stump said, but he has taught some lessons at the club.

Elite figure skaters, she said, can be adept at compartmentalization. “Skaters learn to be in the moment when you have to be in the moment and when you’re not that’s when you have your space to cry, but it’s been really tough,” she said, especially since many are still in their competitive season. She pointed out Jinna Han’s coach out on the ice. She is coaching a pairs team that is bound for the World Championships next month at Boston’s TD Garden.

And while the sport often forces its athletes to learn how to deal with deep disappointment, there is still pervasive anxiety attached to the recent catastrophe. Stump mentioned a trip that some of the club’s members will take to Colorado Springs for an upcoming competition. “They’re all scared,” she said, referencing the impending plane ride. “Parents, skaters, everybody.”

 

[tockyolina]

It's a story about endurance (both mental and physical).

thanks so much for sharing. No wonder Maxim hasn't been able to train... But still very sad to hear.

 

[just tuned in]

Join us for "Skate from the Heart" Benefit Exhibition
Join us for the "Skate from the Heart" Benefit Exhibition, on Saturday, March 8, at 7 PM, hosted by Wissahickon Skating Club, 550 West Willow Grove Avenue • Philadelphia, PA 19118

Support the families and loved ones affected by the tragic crash of Flight #5342. All proceeds will go directly to the U.S. Figure Skating Family Support Fund.

Click Here to Purchase VIP Tickets by 3/1, General Admission Tickets or to Make a Donation

The benefit show was last night. Two of our local news stations covered it, interviewing Nancy Kerrigan before the show. Here are the news videos:

https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/new...-victims-killed-in-d-c-mid-air-crash/4128652/

https://6abc.com/post/nancy-kerriga...-community-members-died-plane-crash/15994948/

After the show, Nancy chatted with everyone and is as nice and charming and low-key as any person could be.

My other take-aways:
Brendan Mullen and Blake Gilman are the same height.
Also, they are friends who maybe do not see each other very often and who have a lot to talk about. During the hour warm-up before the show, they skated around together for much of the time.
Brendan and Caroline Mullen skated on our regular freestyle session earlier in the day. They mostly worked on their own (individual) skating and were very mindful about other skaters on the ice and careful to not get into anyone's way.

 

[marshallpond]

NTSB preliminary report on the crash https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Documents/DCA25MA108 Prelim.pdf

The supporting data revealed that in the roughly three years between October 2021 and December 2024, there were 15,214 near misses between commercial airplanes and helicopters near DCA alone.

Urgent recommendations from NTSb https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AIR2501.pdf

 

[Lutzes&Loops]

NTSB preliminary report on the crash https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Documents/DCA25MA108 Prelim.pdf

The supporting data revealed that in the roughly three years between October 2021 and December 2024, there were 15,214 near misses between commercial airplanes and helicopters near DCA alone.

Urgent recommendations from NTSb https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AIR2501.pdf

Absolutely unbelievable. How something wasn’t done until the tragedy actually happened is beyond me. Seems almost criminal.

 

[misskarne]

NTSB preliminary report on the crash https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Documents/DCA25MA108 Prelim.pdf

The supporting data revealed that in the roughly three years between October 2021 and December 2024, there were 15,214 near misses between commercial airplanes and helicopters near DCA alone.

Urgent recommendations from NTSb https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AIR2501.pdf

Key points: there was a moment in the helicopter conflict where the instruction pilot and the pilot read out two different altitudes and never discussed it. And when the helicopter was asked to pass behind the CRJ, the crucial instruction "pass behind the" was stepped on.

 

[marshallpond]

The National Development Team kids will have a number at the gala at the World's.

 

[Trillian]

Based on what I’ve heard through the grapevine, I hope that for those who had a connection to people lost in the crash, parents will prepare their younger kids in advance for the kind of tributes they might expect as they participate in upcoming skating events. As adults, we’re accustomed to something like a moment of silence and it doesn’t throw us off as much, but younger kids can have a more emotional reaction because those kinds of observations are not as normalized for them and they’re not necessarily expecting a reminder right before they get on the ice to compete or perform. Likewise, I hope the clubs organizing events will communicate when they plan to do those things as much as possible, especially in the areas where there were clubs/rinks who lost people.

Having those kinds of tributes is totally appropriate and I’m sure there will be a lot of them at upcoming events. It will just be worth keeping in mind that some kids might need a conversation ahead of time.

 

[Aceon6]

@Trillian Good point for those bringing kids to worlds and other events. Fortunately, the rinks with direct connections to the crash have had grief counseling on-site from the early days. I hopeful that having access to resources will help.

 

[Trillian]

@Trillian Good point for those bringing kids to worlds and other events. Fortunately, the rinks with direct connections to the crash have had grief counseling on-site from the early days. I hopeful that having access to resources will help.

I’m sure it will and I’m very glad all those resources have been available. But even for kids who have worked with grief counselors, something like a moment of silence at a local competition might hit them harder than we’d expect as adults. Like I said, I think those tributes are great things to have and these kids have wonderful support systems around them. They can just be tough on kids who are caught off guard sometimes, so it will help if they know what to expect and when.