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 FBIโs 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. โOur friend group is with him for support,โ 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.
DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. โ A 62-year-old man was killed Wednesday morning after a small aircraft crashed in a field in the Whiton community of DeKalb County, Alabama, authorities said.
The victim was identified as Douglas Emge, 62, of Whiton. Emergency crews responded to the crash along County Road 3, where the single-engine aircraft came down behind the Whitton water tank.
According to the DeKalb County Sheriffโs Office, emergency personnel were dispatched to the area following reports of the aircraft crash. DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency Director Michael Posey confirmed that one person died in the incident.
An FAA spokesperson said a Vanโs RV-4 crashed in a field near Albertville at approximately 6:50 a.m. The aircraft had only one person aboard, and Emge was the pilot.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the crash, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also participating. Investigators will work to determine what caused the aircraft to go down.
Officials have not released a cause of the crash, and the investigation remains ongoing. Additional information is expected as investigators examine the aircraft, crash site and other available evidence.
The City of Albertville issued a statement mourning Emge, describing him as a longtime and prominent member of the Albertville Regional Airport community.
According to the city, Doug Emge was the face of Albertville Regional Airport for more than 30 years and was the founder and sole owner of Albertville Aviation, which operated the airportโs fixed-base operator, or FBO.
The city said Emge was known for helping pilots, flight crews and passengers who arrived at the airport, providing assistance with fuel, rental cars, lodging and recommendations in the community.
Albertville officials also described Emge as a Marine veteran, pilot, husband, father and grandfather. The city extended its condolences to his wife, Stacy, his family and the staff and colleagues at Albertville Regional Airport.
The City of Albertville said Emgeโs contributions to the airport, the city and the wider Sand Mountain community would not soon be forgotten.
Emergency crews and investigators remained at the scene as authorities continued their response.
Officials asked members of the public to avoid the area while emergency personnel work at the crash site and the investigation gets underway.
The cause of the fatal DeKalb County plane crash remains under investigation by the NTSB and FAA.