14 U.S. Figure Skaters Among the Victims of American Airlines Plane Crash

In a heartbreaking development, 14 members of the U.S. figure skating community tragically lost their lives when American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter on January 29, 2025. The crash, which occurred near the Potomac River, has stunned the skating world, as several athletes, coaches, and family members were on board the ill-fated flight.

The plane had just departed from Wichita, Kansas, after the conclusion of the 2025 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships, where these athletes had gathered to compete and train. According to Doug Zeghibe, CEO of The Skating Club of Boston, six members of the club were among those aboard, including two teenagers, their mothers, and two beloved coaches.

The victims included 16-year-old Spencer Lane, a rising star who posted a photo on Instagram of the plane’s wing before takeoff, and Jinna Han, also 16. Their mothers, Molly Lane and Jin Han, perished alongside them. Coaches Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, former Russian world champions who became influential figures in American figure skating, were also lost in the crash. Shishkova and Naumov, both 52 and 55 years old, had been instrumental in training the next generation of skaters after retiring from competitive sports in the late ’90s.

“It feels like we’ve lost family,” Zeghibe said, visibly shaken at a press conference on Thursday, January 30. “They were here every day. Our rink in Norwood was their second home.”

The U.S. Figure Skating team confirmed the devastating news in a statement released Thursday morning. “These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships,” the statement read. “We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and extend our deepest sympathies to their families.”

Inna Volyanskaya, 59, a former Soviet Union pair skater and coach for the Washington Figure Skating Club, was also aboard the flight, according to Russian media outlets. Volyanskaya, who had competed at the highest levels of international skating, was known for her dedication to nurturing young talent in the U.S.

The crash, which claimed the lives of all 60 passengers and four crew members on board, marks a profound loss for the entire figure skating community. As family members, coaches, and athletes process the shock, tributes have poured in from across the world of sports.

“The bonds we share in skating are unlike any other,” said one devastated teammate, who had trained alongside some of the victims. “We all dreamed of competing together one day, and now that dream is shattered.”

Skating fans and fellow athletes have expressed their sorrow on social media, posting photos and memories of the fallen skaters and coaches. “Our hearts are with everyone affected,” said one prominent U.S. figure skater, who spoke out anonymously to protect their privacy during this difficult time.

As emergency response teams continue to sift through wreckage, the entire skating community is left to come to terms with the devastating loss of young talent and legendary figures. The U.S. Figure Skating team has vowed to support the families affected and to honor the legacy of those who tragically died.

The 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships had concluded just days before, and many of the victims had been celebrated for their achievements at the event. The championships had served as a backdrop for both competition and community, making the loss all the more profound for those who knew these athletes both on and off the ice.

“This isn’t just about skating,” said Zeghibe, his voice thick with emotion. “It’s about family. We’ve lost family.”

As the investigation into the crash continues, the nation stands with the families of those who perished, remembering not only their talents on the ice but their incredible contributions to the sport and their communities.