Figure Skaters Share Tributes After Fatal Potomac River Plane Crash

Several figure skaters have spoken out after American Airlines Flight 5342 crashed into the Potomac River.

News broke on Wednesday, January 29, that the airplane, which departed from Kansas, crashed into an Army helicopter near Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. The plane fell into the Potomac River, with emergency crews responding to the scene to conduct a search and rescue operation.

There were reportedly 60 passengers and four crew members on the flight. U.S. Figure Skating announced on Thursday, January 30, that several athletes were on the flight.

“U.S. Figure Skating can confirm that several members of our skating community were sadly aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a helicopter yesterday evening in Washington, D.C.” read a statement shared via social media. “These athletes, coaches and family members were returning home from National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas.”

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The Kansas City Figure Skating Club has since offered more insight into the event that took place before the incident.

“The National Development Camp is a camp for skaters who place in the top four at the juvenile, intermediate, novice levels at the Midwestern, Eastern, West Coast sectionals, and are invited to attend to train with the top level coaches/skaters following the championships,” they shared in a statement to the Kansas City Star. “Some local clubs have sent skaters to this camp in the past.”

The statement continued, “We had several members attend the championships as spectators, officials, and volunteers but they’re all home safe. We do have officials, coaches and members who knew some of the ones who were lost, and our hearts are with their families.”

Figure skater Spencer Lane, who competes with the Skating Club of Boston, shared an Instagram post from the aircraft prior to the crash. He uploaded a photo of the runway at the Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, writing “ICT -> DCA,” signifying that the flight was set to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

As more details emerge regarding the crash — officials reported on Thursday that 14 figure skaters were involved in the deadly incident — many members of the skating community have shared their emotional reactions.

Keep scrolling to see who has spoken out so far:

The Skating Club of Boston

“Our sport and this Club have suffered a horrible loss with this tragedy,” the club shared in an Instagram statement. “Skating is a tight-knit community where parents and kids come together 6 to 7 days a week to train and work together. Everyone is like family. Of the skaters, coaches and parents on the plane, we believe six were from The Skating Club of Boston. We are devastated and completely at a loss for words.”

Along with Lane, skater Jinna Han died in the crash. Their respective mothers, Christine Lane and Jin Han, were also on board the plane and killed, along with married club coaches Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova.

Tara Lipinski

The Olympic figure skater wrote in an Instagram Story that her “heart is broken” after the crash.

“It’s unimaginable the loss,” she wrote. “We will mourn their loss and ALWAYS remember them. My heart is with all the families affected — that part I have no words for.”

Her statement continued, “‘Strength’ and ‘Love’ won’t do it justice. So many of our own were on this tragic flight and my heart aches for them and for everyone part of this devastating accident.”

Sarah Everhardt

The U.S. Figure Skating team member commented on Lane’s Instagram following the news of his death.

“Miss you so much Spencer,” she wrote before taking to her Instagram Story with a longer tribute.

“Woke up to absolutely devastating news … we are such a tight knit community,” Everhardt’s message read. “I know and am friends with so many on that flight. My heart is hurting for everyone affected. Love you all.”

Hana Maria Aboian

“Words cannot fathom the fear and sadness I feel from this event,” the Team USA junior ice dancer wrote. “It is absolutely terrible and I pray for all the athletes, coaches and everyone onboard to be safe and healthy.”

Charlie White

The Michigan Ice Dance Academy Coach shared a message via his Instagram Story.

“Heartbroken. But always here for our community, our family,” White wrote. “Love you all.”

Daniil Veselukhin

“A terrible event. I am shocked by what happened, and words cannot express the depth of sorrow I feel,” the Team USA junior ice dancer wrote. “Right now, the most important thing is to support those affected and their loved ones. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone impacted by this tragedy.”

Adam Rippon

Rippon shared the U.S. Figure Skating statement via his Instagram Story. “Unbelievable,” he wrote alongside a broken heart emoji.

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Starr Andrews

“I am at a loss for words … I’m [sic] can’t even explain how devastated I feel for the loss of amazing people that were on this flight,” she wrote via Instagram Stories. “I’m sending prayers to their families and the figure skating community.”

Patrick Blackwell

“Rest in peace to everyone on board,” the Skating Club of Boston member wrote on social media, sharing memories with those involved in the crash.

Christina Carreira

The Team USA figure skater clarified reports that she and her partner were on board the flight.

“Hi everyone, Anthony and I were included in a list of presumed people onboard the American Airlines flight,” she captioned an Instagram Story post. “We’ve been getting lots of messages of concern, we were not on that flight, we’re both home safe. Our hearts break this morning for all the families affected by this, our thoughts and prayers are with them.”

Michelle Deych and Ryan Hu

The junior ice dancers shared a joint statement on their Instagram page.

“We are deeply hurt by the horrible news,” the statement read. “No words can express this. Our hearts and prayers go for everyone involved in this tragedy.”

Alisa Efimova

“All my thoughts are with all the people and families affected by the tragedy in Washington D.C.,” Efimova wrote, noting that she and partner Misha Mitrofanov flew home from Kansas prior to the crash.

“There are no words that could ease the pain from the horrors of last night,” she continued. “The least we can do is respect each other’s boundaries and stay away from gossip and speculation. Today is silent.”

Luke Wang

“Praying for those onboard from Wichita to D.C., including the skaters and coaches on that flight,” the junior skater wrote. “Absolutely heartbreaking.”

Amber Glenn

The senior ladies skater noted that she was “in complete shock” following the plane crash. “I’m sorry I don’t even know what to say,” she wrote via Instagram Stories.

Kaitlin Hawayek

The Olympian told her Instagram followers that she was on “an early flight” on Wednesday.

“My heart is absolutely broken for those who were on the flight last night, the skating community will not be the same,” she continued. “My heart goes out to everyone, their family, their loved ones.”

Josephine Lee

The Team USA Skater shared a tribute following the “heartbreaking” crash.

“My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone on the flight, including the skaters, coaches and parents,” her statement read. “Feeling absolutely heartbroken right now.”

Ilia Malinin

“I’m heartbroken by the tragic loss of my fellow skaters in this devastating accident,” the senior figure skater wrote in an Instagram Story statement. “The figure skating community is a family, and this loss is beyond words. My thoughts are with their families, friends, and everyone affected. We will never forget them.”

Daniil Parkman

“A horrific tragedy has occurred,” the figure skater wrote in a social media statement translated from Russian. “People close to me got hurt. I wasn’t on board of the crashed plane, I was mistakenly entered to the list of victims.

Annabelle Morozov

The senior ice dancer stated that she is “at a loss for words” after the crash.

“My thoughts go out to everyone and their families involved in the plane crash,” her statement continued.

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Leah Neset and Artem Markelov

The ice dancing duo posted a reaction via their shared Instagram page.

“This is heartbreaking,” they wrote. “Praying for everyone on board and their families.”

Eva Pate

The senior ice dancer noted that she is “praying” for those who were on board the flight. “Absolutely heartbreaking,” she wrote.

Logan Bye

“Utterly heartbreaking,” the ice dancer wrote. “Always in our hearts.”

Maximiliano Fernandez

“So devastating,” the senior ice skater captioned an Instagram Story. “My heart and prayers go out to the skaters, family members and whoever else was on board.”

Camden Pulkinen

The U.S. figure skater wrote that he was “thinking” of those who were impacted by the flight crash.

Jacob Sanchez

“This is truly tragic and heartbreaking to hear about,” the junior men’s skater wrote. “Sending my prayers to all their families.”

Audrey Shin

“I have no words,” the senior skater wrote via her Instagram Story. “It’s been an extremely difficult morning, praying for everyone that was involved in this crash.”

Tonya Harding

The famed figure skater shared a statement following the “devastating” plane crash.

“I’m being told that several professional figure skaters were aboard the flight as well,” she shared via X. “Sending my love and prayers to all the victims and their families.”

Beck Strommer

“I don’t have very much to say right now,” the senior figure skater wrote via social media. “I’m devastated, but I can’t imagine what the families, loved ones, and students of those that we lost are going through.”

Strommer continued, “This is a reminder of the complete fragility of life, it can be snatched away in a moment. Be with the ones you love, give them a big hug and cherish your time together.”

Bradie Tennell

“Last night I heard about the horrific crash that took place in D.C. and my heart sank,” the U.S. figure skater shared in an Instagram Story statement. “I knew we had athletes coming home and I prayed none were on that flight. This morning, I woke up to the news and I am heartbroken. This is devastating and I’m praying for all the families that have been affected.”

Wren Warne-Jacobsen

“My heart goes out to the families of the passengers and crew on American Eagle Flight 5342 and to everyone in the figure skating community,” the senior figure skater wrote. “I hope we can all lean on each other and those close to us in the wake of this tragedy.”

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Sherry Zhang

“Today is a sad day for our community. Less than a week ago, I was sitting alongside these happy skaters watching nationals and eating sushi,” the junior figure skater shared on social media. “This really feels like a nightmare. To everyone who is involved and affected by this tragedy, my heart and prayers go out to you.”

In a second Instagram Story, Zhang shared photos with the late athletes.

“My memories of you will live on,” she wrote. “We miss you.”

Anton Spiridonov

“Russian news outlets have included me on a list of presumed people on the flight from Wichita to Washington D.C.,” the skater clarified online. “I was NOT on this flight, thank you for everyone’s concern for my safety. My heart goes out to all the families affected by this tragedy.”

Maia and Alex Shibutan

The figure skating duo shared that they were “heartbroken” in an Instagram Story statement.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of those on Flight 5342. Our thoughts are with the family members and friends affected by this terribly tragedy,” they wrote. “Many of the passengers on board were young skaters, committed coaches and dedicated families returning from U.S. Figure Skating 2025 National Development Camp for rising Novice, Intermediate and Juvenile competitors … the promising future of our sport.”

They continued, “This is a shocking and huge loss for the figure skating community. We will hold all of the victims in our memory.”

Meryl Davis

The Olympic gold medalist described the U.S. Figure Skating Championships as “the most magical time of the year” for the figure skating world. “My heart is shattered thinking of those sweet young souls whose lives were cut so cruelly short, still buzzing from the magic of development camp in Wichita and full of hopes and dreams for the future,” she wrote via her Instagram Story. “Proud parents who have sacrificed so much, tired and eager to get home. The coaches who have dedicated their lives to guiding and nurturing young athletes. And for those waiting at home with a warm hug, excited to hear all about it. An unspeakable loss for our skating family and beyond.”