At least 30 bodies have been recovered from a Washington DC aircraft collision, including a TikTok skating star, a famed athlete couple, and all four flight crew members.
At least three minors – including figure skaters Spencer Lane, 16, and Jinna Han – are among the more than five dozen victims who died Wednesday evening after an American Airlines flight and an Army Black Hawk collided in Washington DC.
Famed Russian skating couple Evgenia Shishkova, 53, and Vadim Naumov, 56, alongside Lane and Han’s mothers also tragically lost their lives in the crash over the Potomac River.
The bodies of all four flight crew members – including one who was mere months away from a promotion and wedding – were also recovered from the debris on Thursday.
Three unidentified Fairfax County students and six parents – two who were staff members – also died, the school district confirmed.
‘Many on the flight were returning from a figure skating event in Wichita, Kansas,’ the district said. Lane and Han were also coming from the skating event.
American Airlines Flight 5342 had been approaching Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night when the crash occurred, officials said.
Sixty-four people – 60 passengers and four crew – were onboard and all died, officials said. At least 28 bodies have been recovered, according to DC Fire Chief John Donnelly said.
Figure skater, Spencer Lane, 16, (middle back) alongside Russian couple Evgenia Shishkova, (middle front) 53, and Vadim Naumov, 56, (right) have been confirmed dead
‘We will work to find all the bodies and reunite them with their loved ones,’ he said at a Thursday press conference.
US Figure Skating has confirmed that several skaters, coaches and their family members were on board the flight, and had been returning home from the National Development Camp, which is held in conjunction with the national championships.
‘We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available,’ the sport governing body said in a statement.
American figure skater John Maravilla, as reported by RIA Novosti, said: ‘I don’t want to name names, but there were around 14 figure skaters on the plane, not counting their parents and several coaches.’
CBS News reported that a dive team had recovered one of the two data recorders, the so-called black boxes, from the plane.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said both the helicopter and the airplane had been flying normal flight patterns. ‘This was not unusual,’ he said.
The Pentagon, Department of Defense, and the Army have launched investigations.
In a post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump questioned the actions of the helicopter crew and air traffic controllers on what he described as a clear night.
‘This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!,’ he wrote.
Below, DailyMail.com provides a full list of the confirmed victims aboard Flight 5342.
Spencer, 16, and Christine Lane
Lane and other figure skaters had been returning home from the National Development Camp, which is held in conjunction with the national championships
His mother, Christine Lane, was confirmed dead, by The Skating Club of Boston
Spencer Lane uploaded the photo around 7pm ET Wednesday, which appeared to show the jet taxiing on the runway at Wichita Airport in Kansas before it took off for its final flight.
He captioned it ICT -> DCA – the codes for Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
His mother, Christine Lane, was confirmed dead, by The Skating Club of Boston.
Grace Maxwell, 20
Grace Maxwell, a 20-year-old biomedical engineering student at Cedarville University in Ohio, was on the doomed flight returning back to school
Grace Maxwell, a 20-year-old biomedical engineering student at Cedarville University in Ohio, was on the doomed flight returning back to school.
She had reportedly been in Kansas to attend her grandfather’s funeral, The Wichita Eagle reports.
Her father told the publication that she ‘was on the plane’, but that he’d not yet heard from authorities regarding any further details.
Evgenia Shishkova, 53, and Vadim Naumov, 56
Shishkova and Vadim Naumov won the World Figure Skating Championship in pairs in 1994
Shishkova and Vadim Naumov won the World Figure Skating Championship in pairs in 1994.
The married couple was traveling back to DC on Flight 5342 after attending the US Figure Skating Championships in Kansas.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Shishkova and Naumov were aboard the plane.
‘Unfortunately, we see that this sad information is being confirmed,’ Peskov said.
‘There were other fellow citizens there. Bad news today from Washington. We are sorry and send condolences to the families and friends who lost those of our fellow citizens who died in the plane crash.’
When asked whether Russian President Vladimir Putin planned to offer condolences to US President Donald Trump in a phone call, Peskov said there were no plans for high-level contacts for now.
Ludmila Velikova, who trianed the couple when they were children, called the loss devastating.
‘They were my favorite sports people,’ she told Reuters. ‘They were part of my first attempt at the world championship and became champions in 1994. They were talented and beautiful people.
‘Apart from anything else, they were my children.’
Shishkova started training with Veilkova at the age of 11 and Naumov at 14.
‘What’s happened is awful,’ she said from St. Petersburg. ‘The best people have been taken away from us.’
Veilkova confirmed the pair’s son, Maxim, did safely return to Boston.
Jinna and Jin Han
Jinna Han (pictured front row in red) and her mother Jin were confirmed dead
‘Our sport and this Club have suffered a horrible loss with this tragedy,’ Doug Zeghibe, CEO and Executive Director of the club, said in a statement. ‘Everyone is like family… We are devastated and completely at a loss for word’
Skater Jinna Han and her mother Jin were confirmed dead by The Skating Club of Boston.
She was featured on the club’s TikTok page with fellow athlete Ela Cui doing exercises to practice their twirls without skates on.
‘Our sport and this Club have suffered a horrible loss with this tragedy,’ Doug Zeghibe, CEO and Executive Director of the club, said in a statement. ‘Everyone is like family… We are devastated and completely at a loss for word.’
Asra Hussain, 26
Asra Hussain messaged husband Hamaad Raza , 25, to say ‘We are landing in 20 minutes’ as American Eagle Flight 5342 approached Reagan National Airport jut before 8pm ET Wednesday night
Asra Hussain messaged husband Hamaad Raza, 25, to say ‘We are landing in 20 minutes’ as American Eagle Flight 5342 approached Reagan National Airport just before 8pm ET Wednesday night.
Tragically it was the last text Asra, 26, would ever send.
Her shaken husband of two years Hamza Raza, 25, said he had texted his wife a few replies, but that they’d never been received.
‘She texted me that they were landing in 20 minutes. The rest of my texts didn’t get delivered and that’s when I realized that something might be up,’ a distraught Hamaad said at the airport.
‘I’m just praying that somebody’s pulling her out of the river right now, as we speak. That’s all I can pray for, I’m just praying to God,’ he told WUSA9.
Samuel Lilley – First Officer
Newly-engaged Lilley, 29, was months away from being promoted to captain in a career that he adored, his father Timothy told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview
‘Samuel was in the prime of his life. He was engaged to a beautiful, wonderful girl and we were all excited about her joining the family,’ his father said
Newly-engaged Lilley, 29, was months away from being promoted to captain in a career that he adored, his father Timothy told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview.
‘Samuel was in the prime of his life. He was engaged to a beautiful, wonderful girl and we were all excited about her joining the family,’ he said.
Timothy, a former Army warrant officer who is now a private jet pilot, was at Teterboro Airport, New Jersey, when the crash happened – and is now in Washington.
But he initially had no idea his beloved son was one of the pilots who perished in the tragedy.
‘I saw the crash on the news. I didn’t think there was any way it was my son,’ he said. ‘But then I watched long enough to figure out it was my son’s airline and then I kind of know his schedule.
‘And so I called his fiancée, confirmed, like, hey was Sam in Wichita? Yes, he was, was he going to to DCA? Yes, he was. So then I had to tell her. It was just an ugly scene.’
Of his own reaction, he said: ‘You know what, I was OK for five, maybe 10 minutes. And then I bawled for 10 minutes. It’s a bitter, bitter pill to swallow.
And in a further terrible twist to the tragedy, Lilley Sr. revealed he, himself, is a former Army Black Hawk pilot and had flown in the exact same area where the disaster happened.
Jonathan Campos – Captain
Campos was born in New York but grew up in Florida
Campos was born in New York but grew up in Florida. He attended the Epic Flight Academy where he was certified as a flight instructor in 2017 and as a commercial airline pilot one year later, according to the company’s records.
His uncle Hector Campos told DailyMail.com that his nephew lived for the aviation business, telling DailyMail.com: ‘He loved it.’
Hector added: ‘We just confirmed the news. We are in complete shock.’
Campos of one of the four doomed flight crew members on the aircraft.
Danasia Elder and Ian Epstein – Flight Attendants
Danasia Elder was revealed to be one of the flight attendants on board the commercial plane
Ian Epstein was revealed to be one of the flight attendants on board the commercial plane
Danasia Elder and Ian Epstein was revealed to be the flight attendants on board the commercial plane.
‘RIP Danasia Brown,’ one friend wrote on Facebook, referring to her married name. ‘Never thought I would see those letters beside ya name.’
Ryan O’Hara – Black Hawk Crew
Ryan O’Hara from Georgia was on board the doomed helicopter when it plunged into the Potomac River on Wednesday night
Ryan O’Hara from Georgia was on board the doomed helicopter when it plunged into the Potomac River on Wednesday night.
He was one of three Army soldiers on an annual proficiency training flight and is one of the 67 lives lost in the deadliest US plane crash since 2009.
O’Hara left behind a wife and a one-year-old son, and was remembered fondly by his his school.
Mark Stovall, 40
Mark Stovall was returning home from a hunting trip in Kansas
Mark Stovall was returning home from a hunting trip in Kansas, according to The New York Times.
‘It was a boys’ trip,’ his cousin, Shawna Slarb, told The Times. ‘They were there on a duck hunt.’
Stovall, who is from Maryland, was said to be flying with at least six of his friends, some of whom he’s known since childhood.
Jesse Pitcher, 30
Pitcher (right) was on the same trip as Stovall. He was the owner of a plumbing business and was in the process of building a new home with his wife, Kylie, who he married just over a year ago
Pitcher was on the same trip as Stovall, The Times confirmed.
He was the owner of a plumbing business and was in the process of building a new home with his wife, Kylie, who he married just over a year ago, the outlet said.
‘He was just getting started with life,’ his father, Jameson Pitcher told The Times.
His friend, Brandon Turner, posted a tribute on Facebook, writing: ‘Boy oh boy what a ride it’s been! Such a shame it had to end so soon. Jesse J Pitcher you were without a doubt a true friend.
‘Always down for an adventure. You will always hold a special place in my heart always and forever. Until we meet again you will be on my mind. Here’s to your greatest adventure yet. I love you my friend.’
Inna Volyanskaya
Inna Volyanskaya, of Virginia, was a skating coach and her death was confirmed by her ex-husband Ross Lansel
She played Ariel on Disney on Ice’s performance of The Little Mermaid before becoming a coach in 2002
Inna Volyanskaya, of Virginia, was a skating coach and her death was confirmed by her ex-husband Ross Lansel.
She played Ariel on Disney on Ice’s performance of The Little Mermaid before becoming a coach in 2002, Lansel told NBC Washington.
‘Just knowing the impact she made to all the skaters and everyone just hurts my soul and just I wish all those kids that she taught, just my condolences and I wish them — all my prayers go out to them,’ he said.
Wendy Shaffer
Wendy Shaffer was a mother-of-two to a Shields, three, and Bennett, one
‘She was a radiant soul, a devoted wife to Nathan, and an incredible mother to her two beautiful boys,’ a GoFundMe said
Wendy Shaffer was a mother-of-two to a Shields, three, and Bennett, one.
Her death was confirmed by her husband’s Nate’s friend Bill Melugin on X.
‘She was a radiant soul, a devoted wife to Nathan, and an incredible mother to her two beautiful boys,’ a GoFundMe said.
‘Her love, kindness, and unwavering spirit touched everyone who knew her, and her absence leaves a void that can never be filled.
‘She dedicated her life to creating a warm, loving home filled with laughter and care. Her boys were her greatest pride and joy, and she dreamed of watching them grow into the amazing individuals she knew they would become.’
Her husband, Nate, said he is still ‘waiting to wake up from this nightmare, but I fear this is the truth.’
‘Wendy was not just beautiful on the outside, but was a truly amazing woman through and through. She was the best wife, mother, and friend that anyone could ever hope for,’ he said though Melugin.
‘Her love, kindness, and strength touched everyone she met. We will miss you more than words can express, Wendy Jo. I love you endlessly! Rest in peace, my love.’
Alexandr Kirsanov
Alexandr Kirsanov (pictured in an old photo) attended the Kansas event with his skaters, Sean Kay and Angela Yang, his wife, Natalia Gudin confirmed
Alexandr Kirsanov attended the Kansas event with his skaters, Sean Kay and Angela Yang, his wife, Natalia Gudin confirmed to Delaware Online.
The former skater’s body has not been recovered yet from the debris, his wife said.
Gudin said the couple always used American Airlines when flying to the competition and that she usually goes with her husband.
‘This time they go without me, and all of them are gone,’ she told the outlet.
Sean Kay and Angela Yang
Sean Kay and his skating partner Angela Yang died on the American Airlines flight with their coach Alexandr Kirsanov (pictured L-R: Angela, Alexandr, Sean)
Sean Kay and his skating partner Angela Yang died on the American Airlines flight, their coach Alexandr Kirsanov’s wife confirmed to Delaware Online.
The pair had won first place at the 2025 Midwestern Sectional US Ice Dance Final only two months ago.
Everly and Alydia Livingston
Sisters Everly and Alydia Livingston had both been on the plane when it went down, according to the Skating Club of Boston.
The sisters, 14 and 11, were members of the Washington Figure Skating Club and frequently shared images of their routines on their social media page.
In a final post, shared just a few days before the horrific crash, the two could be seen at the US Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas.
The caption on the picture of the two reads: ‘If you look closely at Alydia’s badge. We were born ready for this but is ready for this much Livingston at Nationals?’
The sisters, 14 and 11, were members of the Washington Figure Skating Club and frequently shared images of their routines on their social media page
In another post to Instagram shared by Everly’s coach, the young skater was praised for her hard work alongside her partner Franco Aparicio.
Her coach Inna Volyanskaya said: ‘Congratulations on Everly and Franco for making it to the national development camp for their second year!
‘So proud of all their hard work and training they have done to get here. What an amazing way to start off the year!’