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

[ChelleC]

The Skating Lesson FB page has bios of the skaters and whether they were accompanied by family members or coaches. It’s heartbreaking.

The posts are also on their Instagram page.

 

[bardtoob]

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Tenley, Nancy, and other members of the SCOB hold a press conference

 

[FSWer]

It is also so sad that this is 2025...64 years since sebrena...and we still can't guarantee a safe flight for our skaters.

 

[VALuvsMKwan]

I remember meeting Sasha Kirsanov and Christie Moxley briefly at 2004 US Nationals in Atlanta - in all places out in the food court next to the arena. They were both very nice and appreciative of being recognized.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

Clip from NBC Sports' Euros broadcast earlier today - you can hear Johnny's voice crack as he read portions of the statements from the USFS and ISU.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1885066677538242914

I watched the last group of pairs on the Johnny and Tara broadcast. I think both of them were crying on and off the whole time.

 

[Debbie S]

Baltimore news station report - comments from a club coach and Ting Cui (via phone):

Maryland figure skating community reeling from deadly D.C. plane crash

Ting Cui, a Baltimore figure skater, says she returned home early following the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas, and wasn't on the aircraft that crashed Wednesday night into the Potomac River.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[DreamSkates]

It was a training flight. I assume they screwed up.

TV news report mentioned there was one air traffic controllers when there should have been 2. There's an accident waiting to happen.

 

[Lanie]

I read the crew was based here in Charlotte.

I have been crying on and off all day. I don't know why this has affected me so much. I keep seeing the faces of these happy, excited kids I got to meet all weekend and talk to. Their proud parents. It's just beyond words.

 

[DreamSkates]

The posts are also on their Instagram page.

Will look and post a thank you to TSL.

 

[Aceon6]

TV news report mentioned there was one air traffic controllers when there should have been 2. There's an accident waiting to happen.

And the two planes were the last before noise restrictions took effect.

 

[Spikefan]

I read the crew was based here in Charlotte.

I have been crying on and off all day. I don't know why this has affected me so much. I keep seeing the faces of these happy, excited kids I got to meet all weekend and talk to. Their proud parents. It's just beyond words.

I have been the same all day. Just knowing I saw all these people just three days ago and now they are gone. Then of course people that knew I went wanting to talk about it. I do fine for a bit and then the tears start again.

I acted a fool around the SCOB head that was interviewed today. He humored me (didn’t know who he was, just at Worlds booth) and was so happy and kind, now devastated.

 

[tangerine dream]

TV news report mentioned there was one air traffic controllers when there should have been 2. There's an accident waiting to happen.

Yes it is starting to remind me of the 2002 Überlingen mid-air collision.

 

[Lanie]

I have been the same all day. Just knowing I saw all these people just three days ago and now they are gone. Then of course people that knew I went wanting to talk about it. I do fine for a bit and then the tears start again.

I acted a fool around the SCOB head that was interviewed today. He humored me (didn’t know who he was, just at Worlds booth) and was so happy and kind, now devastated.

((( hugs )))

We're a tight knit sport, and really it often feels like we're a family. It's one reason I keep coming to events. I love seeing my FSU family, my skating family, my old coaches sometimes. It's always like a family reunion over skating. It feels like we've lost family even if it is just people we got to speak with briefly.

One of the FAs we'd flown with before because Mini and him have the same name and bonded over it. :-(

 

[Debbie S]

Another Baltimore news station interview with Ting:

Pikesville figure skater Ting Cui reflects on deadly plane crash

Champion figure skater Ting Cui knew some of the passengers who were involved in Wednesday night's plane crash.

www.wbaltv.com

She said the situation is terrifying and that she is there if anyone needs to talk.

"I wanted to let everyone know I'm there for them as I know they are there for me, and if anybody needed to talk to process this, I am here to offer comfort as well," Cui said.

 

[nickp]

Watching Nancy Kerrigan & others on tv speaking about their friends & loved ones lost

 

[Lynn226]

Meryl Davis IG story: https://www.instagram.com/stories/m...ig_story_item_share&igsh=MWtibzk2YzM4c2o0cQ==

Media everywhere are circling. Local news station came to my club's home rink this morning and interviewed a coach and adult skater (who attended Nats) on the rink's morning FS session. Local print reporter called our club president, who referred her to the coach for comments.

Being in comms/PR myself, I get why they do this, but it feels uncomfortable. None of the skaters and coaches on the plane had any connection to our club, other than competing at our club's comp. If local media wants a story, interview those directly affected. Wash FSC is right down the road.

One of my first thoughts was these families need a gatekeeper with the media. Even the local coverage of my grandfather's sudden and unusual death in 1986 was a lot for my mom to handle.

 

[Karen-W]

Ilia was interviewed on CNN by Jake Tapper (who is giving Chris Howarth & Ted Barton a solid run for their money in badly mangling a skater's name ) -

Jake Tapper on Instagram: "Figure skating community mourns members killed in collision"

1,918 likes, 0 comments - jaketapper on January 30, 2025: "Figure skating community mourns members killed in collision".

www.instagram.com

 

[Lanie]

Ilia being interviewed for this feel so wrong and ghoulish, I feel for him, I can't imagine it is easy when you are grieving.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

Ilia was interviewed on CNN by Jake Tapper (who is giving Chris Howarth & Ted Barton a solid run for their money in badly mangling a skater's name ) -

Jake Tapper on Instagram: "Figure skating community mourns members killed in collision"

1,918 likes, 0 comments - jaketapper on January 30, 2025: "Figure skating community mourns members killed in collision".

www.instagram.com

Wow. Uh. Chris may have to give up his name mangling crown! Both of Ilia’s names are pronounced exactly how they’re spelled.

 

[Firedancer]

Jake Tapper talked to Brian Boitano as well:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFdz7eMOgLR/?igsh=amg2a2kwZGJuYmF0

 

[MINAM]

Breaks my heart to learn that so much lives were taken. RIP Shishkova and Naumov.

 

[Wyliefan]

A-lee-ah Ma-leen. Oh dear.

 

[mtnskater]

Jake must have gotten a correction in his ear piece because late in the interview he started pronouncing Ilia’s first name correctly.

 

[YukiNieve]

I took the same flight from Wichita to DC on Monday, two days before the crash. There were also some top junior and senior skaters on board. Although it is a small plane, it is a convenient flight back to the East Coast, so it was full.

As we approached DCA (the destination airport), I heard the pilot say, "something's taking off? in our way?" (I was sleepy and did not hear him clearly), so we had to wait in the air by circling for a while. After about 5 minutes we finally landed.

I have heard from several sources that landing at DCA can be challenging because the airport is in the middle of a densely populated area; lots of city lights can be confusing at night, etc. My understanding is that in this day and age of technology, pilots still use their own eyes to make sure they have "visual separations" between their aircraft and others to avoid accidents. Of course, that doesn't mean it's okay to have an accident like this. Absolutely not.

In the arena I was sitting a few sections away from the skaters wearing the red Developmental Team shirts. As a group, they were visible from anywhere if you were in the arena. They were cheering on loudly, holding signs, and throwing stuffed animals for the junior and senior skaters. They must have been so happy and proud to be a part of this very important event.

I keep thinking about them today. Sadness is not a strong enough word to describe my feelings.

 

[Sylvia]

Another CBS Boston interview at the SC of Boston earlier today - "Alisa Efimova, Misha Mitrofanov and Jimmy Ma spoke of their time with Spencer Lane and Jinna Han, as well as coaches Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, calling the skating club a family." (8 mins.): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Inu3_B6M4WM

 

[skatfan]

Will look and post a thank you to TSL.

Dave is really doing great work with these tributes. He’s running circles around major media.

 

[Rob]

Skating lesson has posted that Olivia Ter, 12, and her mother Oleysa, were on the flight.

 

[Debbie S]

That interview was so sad to watch. It must have taken so much to get through it. Misha is a rock.

 

[Sylvia]

Anderson Cooper will talk about the skating sisters from the Washington FSC, Everly and Alydia Livingston, soon on CNN.

 

[FSWer]

Ok guys. I have an update on what happened. I just heard from a friend who found this out from a family member. That what happened is that the Army Helicopter which was in training was on Army frequency rather than the frequency needed to be in touch with the Control Tower. So the Control Tower was not able to contact them with instructions. I'll let you all know if I hear more. BTW. does anyone know if this and what happened in 1961 are the only two crashes involving skaters in history that have happened?