Over 30 bodies have been recovered from the Potomac River so far, according to sources involved in the rescue operations.

U.S. Figure Skaters and Coaches Among the Passengers on Tragic Flight 5342 Crash into Potomac River Near Reagan National Airport

A devastating collision between American Eagle Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter occurred Wednesday night, resulting in multiple fatalities.

Among the passengers on the American Airlines regional jet were figure skaters, coaches, and family members returning from the National Development Camp in Wichita, Kansas, held after the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

The crash occurred late Wednesday as the regional jet, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, was attempting to land at Reagan Washington National Airport.

The plane collided midair with the military helicopter, which was carrying three U.S. Army personnel on a routine training flight.

Both aircraft plunged into the Potomac River, triggering a massive multi-agency rescue operation. Over 30 bodies have been recovered from the Potomac River so far, according to sources involved in the rescue operations.

Officials at the press conference have confirmed that there are no survivors. A large-scale rescue effort continues through the night under challenging conditions, as authorities work to locate any remaining victims.

The Washington D.C. Fire Department, U.S. Coast Guard, and other emergency services have been tirelessly working at the scene. At least 300 first responders have been involved in the recovery and search efforts.

U.S. Figure Skating Confirms Multiple Skaters and Coaches Among the Victims

The flight, operated by PSA Airlines for American Airlines, was traveling from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington, D.C. American Airlines confirmed the tragic incident, but a full passenger list has not yet been released.

U.S. Figure Skating confirmed that many skaters, coaches, and their family members were onboard the flight. Among the skaters identified on the flight were:

• Spencer Lane
• Jinna Han
• Edward Zhou
• Everly Livingston
• Lydia Livingston
• Franco Aparicio
• Sean Kay
• Angela Yang
• Vadim Naumov
• Evgenia Shishkova
• Inna Volyanskaya

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.

Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, former World Champion pair skaters, were also confirmed onboard. The couple, who represented Russia in the Winter Olympics, were returning from the development camp. They are well-known coaches at the Skating Club of Boston, where their son, Maxim Naumov, currently competes for the U.S.

International Reactions and Tributes

U.S. Figure Skating released a statement expressing profound sorrow, stating, “We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and release more information as it becomes available.”

The Kremlin confirmed the loss of Russian figure skaters in the crash, with Russian President Dmitry Peskov offering condolences to the families of the deceased. He confirmed that Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were among the victims, sending heartfelt condolences to their families and all those affected by the crash.

The International Skating Union (ISU) issued a statement expressing deep shock and heartache, noting, “Figure skating is more than a sport – it’s a close-knit family – and we stand together during this time of tragedy.”

Investigation Underway as Authorities Probe Cause of the Crash

The collision occurred just before 9:00 p.m. EST when the Embraer ERJ-145 regional jet collided midair with the U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, which was conducting a routine training flight as part of military exercises.

The Black Hawk was based at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and was operating within the heavily restricted airspace surrounding Washington, D.C. This area is one of the most monitored and tightly controlled airspaces in the world, just miles from the White House and U.S. Capitol.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the crash took place while the aircraft were in the process of approaching the airport runway. Authorities are conducting a detailed investigation into the cause of the collision.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a full investigation into the crash. The NTSB is expected to provide further details as they continue to review flight data and gather evidence. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, are assisting in the investigation.

Military Training Exercise Under Scrutiny

The U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter involved in the collision was conducting a training flight in the region, which is common practice for military personnel to familiarize themselves with the airspace around the nation’s capital.

Military helicopters often conduct such exercises in this area as part of continuity of government operations.

As the situation unfolds, authorities and agencies continue their efforts to recover additional victims from the wreckage and provide support to the families of those affected by this tragic loss.

The global skating community remains united in grief, supporting the families of the victims and the survivors during this heartbreaking time.