AnnaMaria
A tragic accident took the lives of several figure skaters, coaches, and parents when the plane carrying them collided with a helicopter near Washington, D.C., on January 29, 2025.
Among the victims was 13-year-old competitive figure skater Jinna Han, who was traveling with her mother, Jin Han, and other members of The Skating Club of Boston.
They had been returning from the U.S. Figure Skating National Development Camp in Wichita, Kansas, when disaster struck.
Authorities quickly launched a large-scale search and recovery effort after the crash, which left no survivors.
The Skating Club of Boston confirmed the identities of some of those on board. CEO and Executive Director Doug Zeghibe expressed the profound impact of the loss, stating, “Our sport and this Club have suffered a horrible loss with this tragedy.”
Jinna Han was known for her exceptional performances, including her participation in the 2025 Eastern Sectional Singles Final in the novice women’s free skate category. With strong technical skills, grace, and poise, she was regarded as a rising talent in the sport. In 2023, she delivered standout performances in The Skating Club of Boston’s Ice Chips show, earning admiration from coaches and fellow competitors alike.
Zeghibe spoke of Jinna’s dedication and talent, describing her as “in it to win it, full of grace, a serious competitor but so nice about it and so supportive of her fellow competitors… just a delight, but for a little 13-year-old, just full of grace.”
Tributes poured in from the figure skating community. Journalist and skating enthusiast Kat Cornetta posted on social media, “I am saddened by the loss of everyone on that DC flight, but especially so by the loss of Jinna Han. She was a remarkable skater.”
A friend’s mother shared on Facebook that her daughter, London, was devastated by Jinna’s passing. “London and her friend Jinna Han, a shining star lost in the plane crash, will continue to inspire us. London is grieving… Just completely devastated!”
Before the ill-fated flight, The Skating Club of Boston had shared a post on Instagram wishing their athletes luck at the 2025 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships and the U.S. High Performance Development Camp in Wichita, Kansas.
Following the crash, authorities confirmed there were no survivors and shifted their efforts from rescue to recovery. The president addressed the nation, stating, “We are in mourning; this has really shaken a lot of people. The work has now shifted to a recovery mission. Sadly, there are no survivors.”
The Skating Club of Boston, with a legacy of over 100 years, has produced more than 145 national champions and multiple Olympians. Their state-of-the-art training facility in Norwood, MA, continues to nurture top-tier talent.
The tragedy claimed not only young athletes but also experienced coaches and devoted parents. Jinna Han’s promising future was cut short, and the figure skating world continues to grieve her loss.
Also among the victims were former world champion figure skating coaches Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov. The Russian-born pair, who had lived in the U.S. since 1998, dedicated their careers to training young skaters. Their contributions to the sport were widely recognized, with Shishkova and Naumov winning the pairs figure skating world championship in 1994.
Ludmila Velikova, the coach who played a key role in shaping their careers, revealed that 14 skaters and trainers were on the flight. Speaking from St. Petersburg, she expressed relief that the couple’s son, Maxim, who had competed in Kansas, had not been on the same plane.
US Figure Skating released a statement mourning the devastating loss: “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.”
Officials have not yet disclosed the full list of victims but confirmed that athletes from singles, pairs, and ice dance disciplines were on board. The 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita had featured prominent competitors, including reigning champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates, Ilia Malinin, Amber Glenn, and Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea.
Sports analyst Christine Brennan emphasized the importance of the National Development Camp in preparing young skaters for major competitions, including future Olympic Games. Many of the athletes on the flight were seen as potential contenders for the 2030 Winter Olympics.
Among them was Spencer Lane, a young skater who had worked tirelessly to earn a spot at the camp. Excited about his achievement, he had shared a collage of photos and videos from the event, celebrating his experience.
Just hours before the crash, Lane posted a photo from inside the plane, capturing the aircraft’s wing with a caption indicating he was en route from Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport to Ronald Reagan National Airport.
Authorities have yet to confirm the total number of casualties from the mid-air collision. However, DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly reported that 27 bodies had been recovered from the passenger jet and one from the military helicopter. He confirmed that search efforts had transitioned to a recovery operation.
The collision occurred when the PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700, operating as an American Airlines regional jet, struck a military Black Hawk helicopter mid-air. The plane, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, crashed into the Potomac River, along with the helicopter, which had three military personnel on board.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation to determine the cause of the crash. The accident has left the figure skating community and families of the victims in mourning, as they try to come to terms with the immense loss.