U.S. Figure Skating Confirms ‘Several’ Skaters And Coaches Were In American Airlines Crash

U.S. Figure Skating announced that there were “several” athletes and coaches aboard American Airlines Flight 5342 when it crashed into the Potomac River after colliding with an Army helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night.

The organization provided a statement to news outlet WUSA9 on Thursday morning. 

“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.,” the statement read. “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.”

There were reportedly 60 passengers and four crew members on Flight 5342, a regional American Eagle jet that departed from Wichita, Kansas. The names of the athletes and coaches involved in the crash have not yet been made public.

World champion husband and wife pairs competitors Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova were reportedly on board the plane, according to Russian state media.

D.C. Fire Chief John Donnelly said Thursday morning that rescue efforts were now switching to recovery efforts as no survivors are expected. He said first responders had already recovered the bodies of 27 of the 64 people onboard the passenger plane and one body from the military helicopter. 

“We wish we were gathering for different purposes today,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said at a press conference. “We will not rest until we have answers for the families and for the flying public. You should be assured that when you fly you are safe.” 

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom released a statement on the crash, sharing his “deep sorrow.” 

“This is a difficult day for all of us at American Airlines. Our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, partners, first responders along with their families and loved ones,” he said. 

“Anything we can do now we are doing and right now that means focusing on taking care of all passengers and crew involved as well as their families,” Isom added.

The crash is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration, the U.S. Army, and the National Transportation Safety Board, which is leading the probe.