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

[skipaway]

Hope this gift feature works. Families say Army lacks Accountability in Air Disaster

The Army has avoided accountability and shirked oversight months after the deadly midair collision between a passenger jet and a military helicopter in Washington, dozens of family members said in a letter to the Army’s top official, calling for action and greater transparency.
The Army stands alone in its lack of transparency and candor, 168 family members and loved ones said in a letter addressed to Army Secretary Dan Driscoll on Wednesday and obtained by The Washington Post. Army officials have not had meaningful dialogue with families since a short briefing from Army aviation officials in the days after the collision, with the families noting the rare disclosures related to the incident seemed deliberately timed near holidays to minimize public attention.

 

[ice coverage]

In Chris Berman's intro to the In Memoriam segment at the recent ESPYs, he respectfully made a collective reference to the Flight 5342 figure skaters as young athletes who were lost before the world even had a chance to get to know them. (I'm just paraphrasing -- not quoting him exactly.)
I appreciate that they were remembered at this major event for the entire sports community.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

This Week in Skating spoke to Misha Mitrofanov and Spencer Howe about Skating Club of Boston's new Always Champions campaign to honor the six members of their club who were lost in the accident

This Week in Skating / Always Champions Interview with Misha Mitrofanov & Spencer Howe

Podcast Episode · This Week in Skating Podcast · 07/29/2025 · 48m

podcasts.apple.com

 

[skipaway]

US Army Issues Apology

 

[Wyliefan]

Matt Jacoby’s ice dance partner, Alydia Livingston, was on Flight 5342. Now, the 16-year-old skates in her honor.​

Matt Jacoby’s ice dance partner, Alydia Livingston, was on Flight 5342. Now, the 16-year-old skates in her honor.

Alydia was among 67 people who died when an airliner and a military helicopter collided in Washington. Matt, of Bala Cynwyd, thought of her as a little sister.

www.inquirer.com

 

[Spiralgraph]

^^^ Seems to be behind a paywall. I can't read it.

 

[Wyliefan]

^^^ Seems to be behind a paywall. I can't read it.

That's odd -- it was a gift link I found on Facebook, so it should be accessible to everyone. I'd paste in the text here, but I'm not sure if that's legal.

 

[overedge]

^^^ Seems to be behind a paywall. I can't read it.

I think this is an un-paywalled version https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle...e-16-year-old-skates-in-her-honor/ar-AA1LSimM

 

[Spiralgraph]

That link works. Thank you.

 

[Wyliefan]

Yes, thanks, @overedge!

 

[MacMadame]

The original link worked for me.

 

[Debbie S]

Update: U.S. gov't admits liability

US government admits Army and air traffic controller failures in deadly midair collision near DC - WTOP News

The US government now admits failures by the pilots of an Army helicopter and a controller in the Reagan National Airport tower during the Jan. 29 collision.

wtop.com

 

[FSWer]

I only seriously hope we don't loose any more Figure Skaters to plane crashes from this point on. As this time around, we also lost (along with top skaters) a few really talented young skaters who could have been future skating stars.

 

[Barbara Manatee]

The military admits responsibility for the crash, yet wants to keep flying dangerously -

In October, Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) advanced legislation that would require all aircraft operating in congested airspace to have equipment that would broadcast their positions to other aircraft. The lawmakers had hoped it would be included as part of the Pentagon funding measure.

Instead, on Wednesday, the House passed the final version of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which included allowing the military to resume flying in D.C. airspace — and in similarly congested airspace around the country — without using the transmitters when carrying out national security mission or training flights. The annual finding bill is expected to be taken up by the Senate next week.
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia), who represents many of the families who lost loved ones in the crash, said in a statement that a provision he supported to require stricter location broadcasting from aircraft was ultimately watered down “to accommodate [Defense Department] concerns.”

The Senate has just passed a bill to require the military to turn transponders on, but it won't go to the House until next next year. In the meantime, there was a near mid-air collision between an Air Force tanker and a Jet Blue airliner near Curacao a few days ago. The tanker was flying with transponders off.

 

[floridaice]

The military admits responsibility for the crash, yet wants to keep flying dangerously -



The Senate has just passed a bill to require the military to turn transponders on, but it won't go to the House until next next year. In the meantime, there was a near mid-air collision between an Air Force tanker and a Jet Blue airliner near Curacao a few days ago. The tanker was flying with transponders off.

And the NTSB is not happy about this. Props to Jennifer Homendy