Local News
U.S. Figure Skaters and Coaches killed in American Eagle Flight 5342 crash identified
At least 11 young skaters and their coaches were reportedly among the passengers.
A devastating midair collision occurred Wednesday night near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, involving American Eagle Flight 5342 and a military helicopter over the Potomac River.
Among those onboard the flight were numerous skaters, coaches, and their families, many of whom were returning from the National Development Camp following the 2025 U.S.
Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas.
Skaters Confirmed to Be on Board:
- Spencer Lane
- Jinna Han
- Eddie Zhou
- Everly Livingston
- Lydia Livingston
- Franco Aparicio
- Sean Kay
- Angela Yang
- Vadim Naumov
- Evgenia Shishkova
- Inna Volyanskaya
The full passenger list has yet to be confirmed by the airline, but sources close to the figure skating community have verified that several U.S. National Development Team skaters were on the flight.
At least 11 young skaters and their coaches were reportedly among the passengers.
Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines on behalf of American Airlines, was an Embraer ERJ-145 regional jet, carrying 64 passengers and four crew members.
The aircraft was en route from Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) to Washington, D.C. (DCA) when it collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 military helicopter during its approach to Runway 33 at Reagan National Airport.
The crash led to an immediate suspension of all air traffic at the airport.
Emergency responders received the first report of the crash at 8:48 p.m. ET, with the first rescue teams arriving at 8:58 p.m. ET.
Over 300 first responders were deployed to the scene, working to recover victims from the wreckage.
Rescue divers discovered multiple passengers still strapped into their seats underwater.
At least 19 fatalities have been confirmed so far, with ongoing search and rescue efforts continuing through the night.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, confirming the airline is working closely with investigators.
The FBI’s Washington Field Office is assisting in the response but has stated that no indications of criminal or terrorist involvement have been found.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser released a statement offering condolences and urging the public to respect the privacy of affected families.
The skating community is in mourning as the tragedy unfolds. Friends, family members, and colleagues of the skaters and coaches onboard have taken to social media, expressing their heartbreak and praying for survivors.
Journalist Bill Melugin shared that a close friend of his lost his wife in the crash, leaving behind two young children, ages 3 and 1. “Our friend group is with him for support,” he said, noting the agonizing uncertainty due to conflicting survivor reports.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, with support from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the collision or whether any distress signals were sent prior to impact.
Officials urge the public to refrain from speculation and await confirmed updates as rescue and recovery operations continue.
HARTFORD, IL — Newly released video footage reveals the harrowing moments of an ARCH Air Medical helicopter crash that occurred during a nighttime training exercise in Hartford, Illinois.
The incident took place around 9:00 p.m. on Thursday in a vacant lot near North Delmar Avenue, directly across from the Hartford Fire Department.
The video shows the helicopter attempting to lift off when one of its rotor blades struck a tree limb approximately 50 feet above ground.
The impact caused the aircraft to lose control, flip, and crash to the ground, where it immediately caught fire.
A thick plume of smoke and the glow of flames could be seen from blocks away.
In the aftermath of the crash, one of the individuals on board — identified in the video by a blue uniform — can be seen walking away from the burning wreckage.
Another survivor is shown being carried on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance.
Emergency personnel from the Hartford, South Roxana, and Wood River Fire Departments quickly responded to the scene.
The crash’s proximity to the fire station allowed first responders to act swiftly, containing the fire and rescuing the occupants.
Officials confirmed that all three people aboard the helicopter survived and were transported to area hospitals.
Two were taken by ground ambulance, while a third was airlifted by another ARCH Air Medical helicopter. Their medical conditions have not yet been released.
The crash resulted in a strong odor of aviation fuel that permeated the downtown Hartford area throughout the evening.
Authorities cordoned off the site while crews worked to stabilize the scene and mitigate any fire hazards.
The helicopter was participating in a routine training mission when the incident occurred.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified and are conducting a full investigation into the cause of the crash.
ARCH Air Medical has not yet released an official statement.
More details will be provided as the investigation continues and additional information becomes available.