Human Interest Real People Real People Tragedy 14 U.S. Figure Skaters Among Those Killed in American Airlines Plane Crash, Including at Least 2 Teenagers 1994 World Champion figure skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were also on the aircraft that crashed after attending the 2025 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships By Becca Longmire Becca Longmire Becca Longmire is a digital news writer-reporter at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2024. Her work has previously appeared on ET Canada, Metro and the Mail Online. People Editorial Guidelines and Abigail Adams Abigail Adams Abigail Adams is a Human Interest Writer and Reporter for PEOPLE. She has been working in journalism for seven years. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 30, 2025 12:18PM EST 115 Comments Fourteen U.S. figure skaters were on board the American Airlines flight that collided with a U.S. Army helicopter on Wednesday, Jan. 29, according to Doug Zeghibe, CEO of The Skating Club of BostonSix members of The Skating Club of Boston, including two teens and their moms, were on the flight, Zeghibe announced at a press conference on Thursday, Jan. 30.Also killed were 1994 World Champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, per Zeghibe Multiple skaters who died on the American Airlines plane that collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter in Washington, D.C. have been identified. On Wednesday, Jan. 29, at around 9 p.m. local time, American Airlines flight 5342 crashed into the military aircraft over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport after departing from Wichita, Kan., the FAA said in an initial statement to PEOPLE. The plane was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, according to the airline. Officials said Thursday, Jan. 30, they believe there are no survivors. The U.S. Figure Skating team confirmed to PEOPLE on Thursday that several members of the governing body were onboard the aircraft at the time of the crash. Fourteen U.S. figure skaters, including six members of The Skating Club of Boston, were onboard the American Airlines plane, CEO Doug Zeghibe announced at a press conference on Thursday, Jan. 30. The victims from The Skating Club of Boston have been identified as two teens, Spencer Lane and Jinna Han, their mothers, Molly Lane and Jin Han, and two coaches, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, former Russian world champions. Man Shares Heartbreaking Final Text He Received from Wife Before American Airlines Plane Crashed into Potomac River Photographs of aircraft crash victims from The Skating Club of Boston rink are displayed rink side, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Norwood, Mass. AP Photo/Charles Krupa Lane, 16, posted a photo on his Instagram Stories of the plane's wing before take off. "They're here at our facility in Norwood six, sometimes seven days a week. It's a close, tight bond," Zeghibe said tearfully at the press conference. "So I think for all of us, we have lost family." Inna Volyanskaya, 59, a former pair skater who competed for the Soviet Union, was also on the plane, according to Reuters, citing Russian news agency TASS. According to the Washington Figure Skating Club's website, Volyanskaya was a coach for the team. Pairs figure skating world champions Evgenia Shishkova, 52, and Vadim Naumov, 55, who won the title in 1994, were also among those onboard the plane, Reuters and The Guardian reported, citing Russian news agencies TASS and RIA. The couple, who were married, were thought to have lived in the U.S. since at least 1998 after retiring from their competitive careers, Reuters reported. They helped to train young ice skaters. Emergency response teams are seen searching the Potomac River. Andrew Harnik/Getty The Figure Skaters in the American Airlines Plane Crash Remembered: What to Know About the Victims The U.S. Figure Skating team told PEOPLE in a statement on Thursday morning, "U.S. Figure Skating can confirm that several members of our skating community were sadly aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a helicopter yesterday evening in Washington, D.C." "These athletes, coaches and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas," the statement added. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available," the group concluded. The 2025 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships had been held in the city from Jan. 20 until Jan. 26, the U.S. Figure Skating website stated. Leave a Comment