Eight Figure Skaters Aboard Airliner Colliding with Army Helicopter Near Washington, D.C.
A passenger jet with 64 people aboard collided with an Army helicopter above Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night, prompting a major search-and-rescue operation in the nearby Potomac River.
Among the passengers on American Airlines flight 5342, which was preparing to land from Wichita, Kansas, were eight figure skaters, including Spencer Lane, Gina Khan, Franco Aparicio, sisters Everly and Alidia Livingston, Sean Kay, Angela Yang, and Edward Zhou. Media reports indicate these athletes were traveling together for a competition.
The collision, which occurred around 9 p.m., led to the recovery of at least a dozen bodies. Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact number of casualties or injuries. Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser stated that search efforts are ongoing, and a further update will be provided at 7:30 a.m. Thursday. The crash has left the skating community in mourning, as they await further details about the tragedy.
