A tragic mid-air collision occurred on January 29, 2025, over Washington, D.C., involving American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. The accident resulted in the deaths of all 67 individuals on board both aircraft.
Among the victims were several members of the U.S. figure skating community, including young athletes and their families returning from a National Development Camp in Wichita, Kansas. Notably, 26-year-old figure skater Spencer Lane shared a final social media post before the flight, featuring a photo of the plane’s wing with the caption “ICT -> DCA,” indicating his journey from Wichita to Washington, D.C.
The collision occurred as Flight 5342 was approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River, prompting extensive search and recovery operations. Authorities have recovered the black boxes from both the plane and the helicopter to investigate the cause of the accident.
The figure skating community is mourning the loss of its members, including young talents like Angela Yang and Sean Kay, both 11 years old, who had recently competed in national events.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom expressed condolences and emphasized the company’s focus on supporting the affected families and loved ones.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances leading to this devastating incident.
