The figure skating community is in mourning after a tragic midair collision near Washington, D.C., claimed the lives of beloved coaches and former world champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov. They were among the passengers aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter on January 29.
The crash, caught on chilling footage, caused both aircraft to plunge into the icy Potomac River, where rescue teams have been battling harsh conditions. So far, 28 bodies have been recovered.
Rising star Spencer Lane was also lost in the crash, his Olympic dreams tragically cut short. Meanwhile, their son, Maxim Naumov, survived but now faces immense grief.
President Trump has raised questions about the cause of the crash, and investigations are ongoing. The skating world, devastated by this loss, is honoring the victims’ legacies as mentors and champions. A vigil in Wichita will be held to remember their lives.
