Several young figure skaters were among the 67 killed in a Jan. 29 plane crash involving a military helicopter over the Potomac River.

After taking off in Wichita, Kansas, Flight 5342 was preparing to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia when it collided mid-air with a Black Hawk helicopter. Both the jet and the helicopter landed in the Potomac River, leaving no survivors. It was the deadliest plane crash in 16 years.

Aboard the flight were 28 figure skating athletes, coaches, and family members returning from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships held in Wichita.

Esther Yi, a synchronized ice skater who recently competed at Nationals, shared her thoughts on the incident’s impact on the community.

“The figure skating community is devastated and heartbroken,” she said. “I know a few skaters whose coach was on the plane.”

According to Yi, the tragedy has brought the figure skating community closer together. Several organizations implemented support for skaters. For example, Boston Skating Club, of which some of the victims were members, brought in therapy dogs to comfort young skaters. According to sophomore Katarina Kresslein, a singles freestyle skater, the United States Figure Skating Association has also worked to support athletes’ mental health.

The community set up several memorials across the country, including in Wichita and D.C. Additionally, “Legacy On Ice,” a special performance to pay tribute to the victims, was held in D.C. on March 2. Skaters from Nancy Kerrigan to Nathan Chen participated, as well as Esther Yi.

One of the most notable performances was by Maxim Naumov, who lost both of his parents in the crash. Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were respected members of the skating community. The husband-and-wife duo were the 1994 World pairs champions and represented Russia twice in the Olympics. They later moved to the United States to become coaches.

Kresslein attended Legacy On Ice to honor the victims and raise money for families and first-responders involved.

“This event helped bring our figure skating community together,” Kresslein said.

According to Yi, air travel is necessary for competitive skaters. She said she flies roughly eight to ten times per year for competitions and other events.

“My organization has provided support for all skaters and families by allowing us to go on the same plane with our families,” Yi said. “I am a little more concerned about my safety whenever I go on a plane because you never know what could happen.” 

However, Yi noted that the risk of a disaster is actually low.

World Language teacher Mr. Leonardo de Valoes emphasized that becoming informed can help to reduce anxiety, citing his personal experience.

“[If] I would see an airplane, I would pass out,” De Valoes said. “I’d never met anyone more afraid of flying than me.”

He said that he watched free videos on the internet made by pilots that explained the whole process of air travel. Once he knew more about planes, he felt a sense of control that has since allowed him to fly to over 100 countries without fear.

De Valoes said that news of the multiple recent plane crashes won’t impact his future travel plans.

“Aviation…is the safest, most reliable transportation method in the world, and I use everything — camel ride, boat ride,” De Valoes said.

In the weeks following the crash, the National Transportation Safety Board has continued to investigate the cause of the incident, including the culpability of the air traffic controller on duty and the helicopter crew.

Yi said that the media coverage of the crash was positive because it raised awareness and support for those affected, with stars like Olympic skater Nancy Kerrigan using her platform to benefit the community.

“This collective effort has shown how strong and united the figure skating world is in the face of tragedy,” Yi said.

The victims of the crash include:

Flight Crew

Jonathan Campos

Danasia Elder

Ian Epstein

Sam Lilley

Figure skaters & their family

Franco Aparicio (14) and his father Luciano Aparicio

Everly (14) and Alydia Livingston (11) and their parents Donna and Peter Livingston

Brielle Beyer (12) and her mother Justyna Beyer

Jinna Han (13) and her mother Jin Han Han

Cory Haynos (16) and his parents Stephanie and Roger Haynos

Ilya “Sean” Kay (11) and his mother Yulia Kay

Spencer Lane (16) and his mother Christine Lane

Olivia Eve Ter (12) and her mother Oleysa Taylor

Angela Yang (11) and her mother Zheheng “Lily” Li

Edward Zhou (16) and his parents Kaiyan and Joe Zhou

Skating coaches

Alexandr “Sasha” Kirsanov

Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova

Inna Volyanskaya

Plane passengers

Sarah Lee Best

Chris Collins

Kiah Duggins

Asra Hussain-Raza

Elizabeth Anne Keys

Dustin Miller

Melissa Nicandri

Robert Prewitt

Casey Crafton

Pete “PJ” Diaz

Lindsey Fields

Col. Pergentino Malabed, Jr.

Grace Maxwell

Bob and Lori Schrock

Wendy Jo Shaffer

Vikesh Patel

Jonathan Boyd

Tommy Clagett

Alexander Huffman

Steve Johnson

Charles McDaniel

Jesse Jameson Pitcher

Michael Stovall

Helicopter crew

Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Loyd Eaves

Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara

Capt. Rebecca Lobach