Skaters and coaches among victims in DC plane crash

[NanaPat]

Hopefully the cause of the accident is found soon. The anti-collision system has saved many lives, even this very year, but I'm perplexed as to why it failed in this case.

Both aircraft have to be equipped with the system for it to work. It's common in airliners, perhaps not so common in military helicopters.

 

[Jumping_Bean]

And what makes it even more heartbreaking is that the crash happened approximately a kilometer away from the runway. Literally so close to making it back to the ground safely.

 

[zebobes]

Maxim Naumov's parents were reportedly on the plane according to Russian sources... I'm not sure if Maxim was or not.

Recovery efforts continue after plane and helicopter collision – as it happened

This liveblog is closed

www.theguardian.com

Edit: I'm reading that Maxim apparently returned to Boston already, but if this is true, my heart goes out to him.

 

[MintGreen]

This is so heartbreaking

 

[surimi]

Both aircraft have to be equipped with the system for it to work. It's common in airliners, perhaps not so common in military helicopters.

They both had transponders on in this case. It would be a suicide to have a helicopter base close to a major airport without mandatory helicopter transponders.

It seems to be a disaster caused by miscommunication/misunderstanding. According to one of the IMO best aviation channels on YT ('Blancolirio', if anyone's interested), the regional plane was flying a perfect approach to the runway (with a challenging sidestep maneuver included, but the plane performed it correctly). ATC cleared the helicopter to pass behind the aircraft. For some reason, the helicopter crew agreed to do so, but then flew right into the plane from the side. Those are all verifiable facts.
The channel author then offers a fairly plausible explanation, saying that the helicopter crew might have mistaken the jet they were supposed to be looking for for an aircraft taking off further away, and approaching from the side, they might not have seen the bright landing lights of the landing aircraft which are only clearly visible from the front.
Also, he says that below 1000 feet, TCAS just says 'traffic' without any further instructions to descend or climb as the aircraft have no room to descend. This happened at less than 400 feet.

Still praying for a miracle

[edited so that the reported speculation wording doesn't ruffle feathers]

 

[ladyjane]

This is heartbreaking in itself whether there are skaters (or their families) on board or not. How sad.

 

[sissyfritz]

I'm not sure of the sources, but truly awful news today.

 

[flanker]

Oh that's terrible news. My deepest condolences to the families

 

[norwegianfairytale]

USFS has confirmed there were skaters onboard from the National development camp.



Unfortunately it´s very likely that Naumovs parents were on board. They were coaching Spencer Lane at Boston Club who posted on his IG-story that he was flying to WC from the camp.

I just can´t believe this. I was following Spencer closely - some might recognize the name from a thread I made about skater that progressed fast, he only started skating in 2022. He even made a user and replied to the thread here at GS. He was a real skating prodigy, he won competitions and regionals this year and was on his first development camp and he was so happy to be invited. I was actually sure he could make it to the Olympics in the future.

And i´m sure he is just one of many promising skaters on that flight

My thoughts and prayers are with all family and friends of all involved in the plane crash, and the figure skating community that must be in total shock now

 

[Skating91]

Seems like worse news to come

 

[cailuj365]

This is just horrific. I'm looking through social media profiles of Boston- and DC-based skaters and coaches right now to see if they posted a story recently, just to confirm that they're OK.

I'm so sad for everyone involved. I cannot imagine what Max is going through. I've been watching Spencer's progress on another site with the videos that he posted, and I loved his post on here. He progressed so rapidly and has been saying how he was looking forward to Development Camp all year. This is devastating for US figure skating.

Worlds in Boston this year just took a somber note. There has to be a memorial or remembrance for this.

 

[Tav]

Max Naumov is confirmed to have been in Boston all day today, so he was not on that flight. Tatiana Tarasova was trying to contact his parents and I don't know what the result of that was.

 

[Diana Delafield]

This is just horrific. I'm looking through social media profiles of Boston- and DC-based skaters and coaches right now to see if they posted a story recently, just to confirm that they're OK.

Olga Ganicheva and Aleksey Letov?

 

[AlexBreeze]

None of the US Nationals competitors were on the plane.

One of the passengers was Inna Volyanskaya.

(excerpt from fairly reliable Russian sources).

 

[Skating91]

Spencer Lane posted an Instagram story ICT to DCA with a photo out of the window 9 hours ago.

 

[yuna2005]

Spencer Lane posted an Instagram story ICT to DCA with a photo out of the window 9 hours ago.

Absolutely gut wrenching

 

[Sabsi]

I'm absolutely shocked and my heart goes out to the families and loved ones affected by this tragedy. Just heartbreaking

 

[Karoltyna]

My thoughts go to Max and all families that lost their beloved. I can't believe Spencer is gone.

 

[TallyT]

Spencer Lane posted an Instagram story ICT to DCA with a photo out of the window 9 hours ago.

Oh god his poor parents seeing that...

 

[TimSparkle]

Unimaginable They were having the time of their lives at the camp, living a dream, and now this