Authorities Confirm No Survivors in Catastrophic Midair Crash Between American Eagle Flight 5342 and U.S. Army Helicopter Near Reagan National Airport

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The skating world is mourning an unspeakable tragedy as authorities confirm that sisters Everly Livingston (15) and Lydia Livingston (13), promising young figure skaters from Virginia, were among the victims of the catastrophic plane crash over the Potomac River.

The sisters, known for their graceful performances and dedication to the sport, were aboard American Eagle Flight 5342, a regional jet operated by PSA Airlines for American Airlines. The plane was carrying 64 passengers and four crew members when it collided midair with a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during its approach to Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

No Survivors Confirmed; Over 30 Bodies Recovered From the River

Authorities have now confirmed that there were no survivors in the horrific crash. Emergency responders have recovered over 30 bodies from the wreckage in the frigid Potomac River, but challenging conditions have made the search and recovery efforts extremely difficult.

Among the victims were several elite U.S. figure skaters, coaches, and Russian skating legends who were returning from the National Development Camp held in Wichita, Kansas, following the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

Full List of Known Victims on Flight 5342

The victims of the tragedy include:

Figure Skaters

• Everly Livingston (15) – U.S. figure skater
• Lydia Livingston (13) – U.S. figure skater
• Spencer Lane (17) – U.S. figure skater
• Jinna Han (16) – U.S. figure skater
• Edward Zhou (14) – U.S. figure skater
• Franco Aparicio (18) – U.S. figure skater
• Sean Kay (17) – U.S. figure skater
• Angela Yang (15) – U.S. figure skater
• Maxim Naumov (23) – U.S. national skater

Coaches and Officials

• Vadim Naumov (55) – Russian World Champion, coach
• Evgenia Shishkova (53) – Russian World Champion, coach
• Inna Volyanskaya (47) – Russian skating official

Crew Members

• Captain Daniel Reese (48) – Pilot
• First Officer Kelly Andrews (36) – Co-pilot
• Flight Attendant Maria Lopez (29)
• Flight Attendant Christopher Shields (33)

A Devastating Midair Collision Over Washington, D.C.

The tragic accident occurred at 8:47 PM EST when Flight 5342 was on final approach to land at Reagan National Airport. The U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, conducting a training exercise from Fort Belvoir, Virginia, was in restricted airspace when the two aircraft collided.

Eyewitnesses described a fireball in the sky as the plane and helicopter broke apart midair, sending flaming debris into the icy Potomac River below.

Rescue teams, including the Washington D.C. Fire Department, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the FBI, were dispatched immediately. However, the freezing waters, darkness, and strong currents severely hampered recovery efforts.

Grief in the Figure Skating Community

The Livingston sisters, who trained at the Virginia Ice Academy, were considered rising stars in U.S. figure skating. Their talent, dedication, and love for the sport made them stand out at national competitions.

Family members released a heartbreaking statement:
“Everly and Lydia were not just sisters but best friends who shared an incredible passion for skating. Their dreams were limitless, and our hearts are shattered beyond words.”

Their coach, Olivia Harrington, described them as:
“Incredibly talented, hardworking, and full of joy. Their presence on the ice was mesmerizing, and their loss is devastating.”

Russian Skating Legends Among the Victims

The crash also claimed the lives of Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, Russian 1994 World Champions in pairs figure skating. The married couple had been coaching in the U.S. and were accompanying their son, Maxim Naumov, a U.S. National Team skater, back home after his performance at the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

The International Skating Union (ISU) and Russian Figure Skating Federation released statements expressing profound sorrow over their loss.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also extended condolences, calling it a “terrible loss for the skating world.”

American Airlines and U.S. Military Respond

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom issued a statement:
“We are deeply heartbroken by this tragic accident and extend our sincerest condolences to the families of the passengers and crew aboard Flight 5342. We are fully cooperating with authorities to determine the cause of this catastrophe.”

Meanwhile, the Pentagon confirmed that the three Army personnel aboard the Black Hawk helicopter also perished. Their names have not yet been released pending notification of their families.

FAA & NTSB Investigation Underway

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a full-scale investigation into how the midair collision occurred in one of the most restricted airspaces in the world.

Preliminary reports indicate that air traffic controllers issued a warning about the helicopter’s presence, but it is unclear if the pilots of Flight 5342 received it in time.

Investigators are now analyzing:

• Cockpit voice recorders (CVR) and flight data recorders (FDR)
• Air traffic control communications
• Military flight logs and radar data

Memorial Services & Tributes Planned

Memorial services are being planned for all the victims, with vigils already taking place at skating rinks across the country.

A tribute event will be held at the U.S. Figure Skating headquarters in Colorado Springs, where a moment of silence will honor those lost.

The tragedy has left families, friends, and the skating world in mourning, as they remember the bright young athletes and beloved coaches whose lives were cut short far too soon.

Ongoing Developments

As investigations continue and more details emerge, officials are expected to release additional findings regarding the cause of the crash.