Skaters and coaches among victims in DC plane crash

[jorge2912]

This crash is horribly reminiscent of the February 14, 1961 plane crash in Belgium, killing all on board,
including the US figure skating team on their way to the World Competition in Prague.

Among those killed were famous American coach Maribel Vinson Owen, her rising star daughter Laurence, and coach Edie Scholdan.

It took years for US figure skating to recover from the loss of these talented and promising skaters and their coaches.

Sabena Flight 548 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Is shocking the news about an accident that could be avoidable, my thoughts and pray are with the members of United States Figure Skating passed away and their families and friends also with the others passengers of this fatal flight and their families and friends .

Yeah , that is very similar with the accident of the Sabena 548 at February ,1961

 

[labgoat]

My introduction to Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov

My favorite program was from 1992 Worlds - their unison and musicality impresed me so much and I became their fan. They skated to take Five by Dave Brubeck here - the same music Maddie & Evan are skating to for their free dance.

 

[Silevril Ilumire]

Perhaps we could make another thread for memorials/tributes? For videos, reminisces, messages of support, etc.

Is there anything we can do as fans? Would donations help?

 

[shyne]

The skating club of Boston has also released a statement as well as a list of people who were on the flight on Instagram

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zvw6JSnPJ4&t=791s

Interview from Doug Zeghibe, CEO of The Skating Club of Boston

This is so sad.

 

[aroundtheworld778]

Perhaps we could make another thread for memorials/tributes? For videos, reminisces, messages of support, etc.

Is there anything we can do as fans? Would donations help?

There is a gofundme organized by Christian Bennet for the families.

 

[Query]

Live updates: American Eagle jet crashes into Potomac River after collision with Army helicopter near Reagan National Airport

The latest news and live updates on the plane crash into the Potomac River.

www.nbcnews.com

There are several reports online that several skaters and coaches from the USFS High Performance Development Camp were on board. From my understanding, most of the other skaters already left Wichita, but there were some still there.

As of right now, there aren't any names, and I obviously don't want to randomly speculate, especially as many of the skaters are children.

I am going to sleep soon, but I will update this thread with any confirmed reports in the morning.

I truly hope everyone is safe.

Some names were posted here:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/figure-skating-community-shock-d-141030680.html

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn9370dny5xo

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

No, no. This is too sad for words. I screamed when I read there were figure skaters and their families on that plane. I hope Max is enveloped and wrapped in love. This is too much. Another heartbreak for the figure skating community that recalls the long ago Sabena airline flight. That tragedy was even more devastating as the entire U.S. figure skating team, with coaches, families, and officials were on one plane. Maybe it's best for groups to break-up even more and travel separately. I so wish that one of Max's parents had returned home with him. What can be done in this moment to help this young man? Of course, nothing will bring his parents back. I don't know what to say. All these lives and young promise lost.

It was fate for Maravilla, apparently, to not be on the plane. Similar scenarios happened with the 1961 Sabena flight. A skater who was supposed to go to Worlds that year pulled out, and the next younger skater in line took his place, and died. This will bring back horrible memories for all the old-timers who were kids who lost their friends and coaches in 1961. The skating community suffered the grievous loss of the amazing, multi-talented Maribel Vinson Owen and her two daughters in that crash. Their loss was enormous. Somehow Maribel's mother soldiered on, often visiting the Boston rink over the years. Such loss is unspeakable and inconsolable. What happened in 1961 changed the face and trajectory of the sport globally, obviously in addition to having untold, unresolvable individual impacts. I am sure something will be developed in future months and years as a tribute and in memory of those whose precious, irreplaceable lives were lost.

It is unconscionable that this crash was preventable. Trump reportedly recently fired important staff from an already understaffed FAA. It is being reported that for some reason, the military helicopter did not heed warnings from air traffic controllers. The pilots on the plane were following instructions they had been given. Nothing will bring back these precious lives.

My thoughts and prayers for everyone who lost friends and loved ones.

 

[CoyoteChris]

This crash is horribly reminiscent of the February 14, 1961 plane crash in Belgium, killing all on board,
including the US figure skating team on their way to the World Competition in Prague.

Among those killed were famous American coach Maribel Vinson Owen, her rising star daughter Laurence, and coach Edie Scholdan.

It took years for US figure skating to recover from the loss of these talented and promising skaters and their coaches.

Sabena Flight 548 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

First thing I thought of...

 

[CoyoteChris]

No, no. This is too sad for words. I screamed when I read there were figure skaters and their families on that plane. I hope Max is enveloped and wrapped in love. This is too much. Another heartbreak for the figure skating community that recalls the long ago Sabena airline flight. That tragedy was even more devastating as the entire U.S. figure skating team, with coaches, families, and officials were on one plane. Maybe it's best for groups to break-up even more and travel separately. I so wish that one of Max's parents had returned home with him. What can be done in this moment to help this young man? Of course, nothing will bring his parents back. I don't know what to say. All these lives and young promise lost.

It was fate for Maravilla, apparently, to not be on the plane. Similar scenarios happened with the 1961 Sabena flight. A skater who was supposed to go to Worlds that year pulled out, and the next younger skater in line took his place, and died. This will bring back horrible memories for all the old-timers who were kids who lost their friends and coaches in 1961. The skating community suffered the grievous loss of the amazing, multi-talented Maribel Vinson Owen and her two daughters in that crash. Their loss was enormous. Somehow Maribel's mother soldiered on, often visiting the Boston rink over the years. Such loss is unspeakable and inconsolable. What happened in 1961 changed the face and trajectory of the sport globally, obviously in addition to having untold, unresolvable individual impacts. I am sure something will be developed in future months and years as a tribute and in memory of those whose precious, irreplaceable lives were lost.

It is unconscionable that this crash was preventable. Trump reportedly recently fired important staff from an already understaffed FAA. It is being reported that for some reason, the military helicopter did not heed warnings from air traffic controllers. The pilots on the plane were following instructions they had been given. Nothing will bring back these precious lives.

My thoughts and prayers for everyone who lost friends and loved ones.

I am locked out of the forums on my computer so am using my phone. As a pilot, this whole mess was avoidable. Lots more to say when I find a working keyboard...OK,got another desk top to work.
While the FAA has continued to allow an increase in flights to this crowded airport to accomidate govt workers over the last 4 years with a weakened staff (NBC News today show) , that was probably not much of an issue here. I live 6 miles from a US Airforce base which is 3 miles from Spokane interntional. Lots of helicopters flying back and forth to the USAF survival school. The helicoptor pilots here fly very low. The DC copter pilots were using night vision goggles which distort depth perception. As can be seen in the video, there are other planes in the air in this crowded airspace. Very confusing. The ATC radio traffic worries me as it assumes that pilots wearing night goggles can recognize this specific plane. We shall let the investigators do their work but there is no way I would let military pilots into a runway approach airspace even making visual approaches let alone Instrument approaches. The night goggles just added to this danger.
We should all take the advice of air race pilot/ Air Force Major Heather Penney, who was assigned the task of ramming flight 93 on 9/11 if she had to with her F16....lets wait and see what the investigators find. But for now, I would stop military helicoptor traffic in approach zones at commercial airports.

 

[AlexBreeze]

It was fate for Maravilla, apparently, to not be on the plane.

He has never planned to be there.

US figure skater Jon Maravilla clears up rumor about being barred from doomed DC flight

There are no expected survivors from the crash, with the plane carrying 60 passengers and four flight members and the helicopter having three people onboard.

nypost.com

 

[labgoat]

I am locked out of the forums on my computer so am using my phone. As a pilot, this whole mess was avoidable. Lots more to say when I find a working keyboard...

We all keep getting logged out over and over again. It is not just you.

 

[Ilia4A]

Heartbroken for everyone involved, friends and families

 

[nickp91]

Tenley Albright, the 1956 Olympic figure skating champion is in tears while being interviewed at the skating club of Boston

 

[Mathematician]

Lots of aviatory incidents all of a sudden even in first world airports, very bizarre.

I was extremely surprised to see Spencer Lane's name on the casualty list. I instantly recognized him from the forum @spencerlane. Very talented kid. He didn't have much competitive presence when he posted here just a few months ago (though he was already winning some local competition with only ~2 years experience) and so quickly now it seems his career already started getting serious. I think he was only skating for about 3 years at this point, as a teen beginner: incredible!

RIP to all. To write many words or lamentation here is extra, its not our tragedy but theirs. I hope theres some solace for family members in the joy and art these athletes brought for people everywhere. I know how much skating means to me and adds to my life, and many like me; their life is no way in vain, the world is absolutely better for them having lived in it. I hope theres some honour knowing what they've given to such a beautiful discipline, I think some people live full lifetimes without contributing what these kids already have (though I know it doesn't compensate for the tragedy).

These super talented kids put everything they had into their career, blessed with talent, opportunity and the hardest work. There was little more in their power left neglected, yet still no matter who or how capable you are, these things happen. Its best to always be aware and present. Its a scary world we live in. We could feel invincible when we're on fire in life, but lets always take a step back and appreciate who and what we have right now; we really are not in control of anything. "The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all."

 

[Silevril Ilumire]

Channel2 NOW​

Skaters Confirmed to Be on Board:​

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

I have seen different numbers for the skaters, coaches, and parents onboard. Perhaps some of the discrepancy comes from some counts including parents and some not. Skating Club of Boston confirmed that the mothers of Spencer Lane and Jinna Han were onboard, and that would bring the skating related total to 13. Is there confirmation that this list is complete? I hope so

 

[Mathematician]

There is a gofundme organized by Christian Bennet for the families.

Took me a minute to find it, heres the link:

Donate to Honor Lost Skaters and Coaches with Love and Support, organized by Christian Bennett

After the tragic events of the January 30th crash we want to do… Christian Bennett needs your support for Honor Lost Skaters and Coaches with Love and Support

gofund.me

 

[reader3]

Such a tragedy!

 

[yyzskater]

I have seen different numbers for the skaters, coaches, and parents onboard. Perhaps some of the discrepancy comes from some counts including parents and some not. Skating Club of Boston confirmed that the mothers of Spencer Lane and Jinna Han were onboard, and that would bring the skating related total to 13. Is there confirmation that this list is complete? I hope so

Unfortunately, there seems to be additional victims beyond the list you are referencing. While not an official release, it does seem to be legitimate. My apologies if it's not.

Medstar Capitals Iceplex barstool on Instagram: "In loving memory of Eddie, Cory, Brielle and Franco 🕊️"

23K likes, 1,033 comments - medstaricebarstool on January 30, 2025: "In loving memory of Eddie, Cory, Brielle and Franco 🕊️".

www.instagram.com

 

[aroundtheworld778]

We all keep getting logged out over and over again. It is not just you.

I switched to Internet Explorer and now the page works.
It would not work for me on Google Chrome desktop.

 

[VickB]

Shishkova / Naumov sad to discover.
They were very nice pairs team and I always was a kind of a fan of them too, very sad to hear about this..