US Figure Skating Championship contestants among victims of Washington plane crash

Boats work the scene in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Arlington (AP Photo)

Several members of the US figure skating community were reportedly on board the American Airlines passenger plane that crashed near Ronald Reagan National Airport on Wednesday after colliding with an Army chopper.

The flight, which was en route from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington DC, was carrying 64 passengers and crew when it collided midair with a US Army helicopter.

According to media, the United States Figure Skating Association confirmed that athletes, coaches and family members were returning from the national development camp held in conjunction with the US championships in Wichita.

"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 organization said in a statement.

Horrific crash in Washington DC between a commuter airplane and a (tentatively identified) Blackhawk military helicopter. 60-70 souls have evidently perished tonight. May god receive these souls with love and mercy. pic.twitter.com/AVaQzxK4MX

OgdenJohnBoy (@ogdenjohnboy) January 30, 2025

According to a source, as many as 15 people aboard the flight were involved in the figure skating community.

While officials have yet to release the exact number of fatalities, they have suggested that there may be no survivors from the crash.

Russian state media outlets reported that former world champions in pairs figure skating, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, were among those on board, the Guardian reported.

Shishkova and Naumov, who were married, won the World Championships in 1994 and later became coaches in the United States.

The explosion in midair occurred over the frigid Potomac River near the airport.

The crash was caught on a webcam at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. The clip shows the aircraft exploding in flames and plummeting to earth after it was struck by the helicopter.