A devastating tragedy struck the U.S. figure skating community when a plane carrying athletes, coaches, and parents from The Skating Club of Boston collided with a military helicopter near Washington, D.C., on January 29, 2025.

Among the victims was 13-year-old competitive figure skater Jinna Han, along with her mother, Jin Han. The aircraft was returning from Wichita, Kansas, following the U.S. Figure Skating National Development Camp, which took place after the U.S. Championships. The accident triggered an extensive search and recovery operation.

Skating Community Mourns the Loss

The Skating Club of Boston confirmed the identities of its members on board. CEO and Executive Director Doug Zeghibe expressed the profound sorrow felt by the club and the skating community, saying, “Our sport and this club have suffered a horrible loss with this tragedy.”

Jinna Han was an emerging talent in the sport, recognized for her technical precision, grace, and poise. She had competed in major events, including the 2025 Eastern Sectional Singles Final in the novice women’s free skate category. In 2023, she impressed audiences with her performance in The Skating Club of Boston’s Ice Chips show.

Doug Zeghibe described Jinna as “in it to win it, full of grace, a serious competitor but so kind and supportive of her fellow skaters. She was just a delight.”

Outpouring of Grief from the Skating Community

Journalist and figure skating enthusiast Kat Cornetta expressed her sorrow on social media, writing, “I am saddened by the loss of everyone on that D.C. flight, but especially by the loss of Jinna Han. She was a remarkable skater.” She also referenced a past article in which she had praised Jinna’s talent and dedication.

A Facebook user who identified her daughter, London, as a friend of Jinna, shared a heartfelt message: “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 tragic accident, The Skating Club of Boston had shared an Instagram post wishing luck to its athletes competing at the 2025 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships and the U.S. High Performance Development Camp in Wichita. “We are so proud of you, and we can’t wait to cheer you on!” the post read.

Authorities Confirm No Survivors

Officials confirmed there were no survivors in the crash and launched an overnight search and recovery effort using all available resources. The president addressed the tragedy, 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.”

Emergency response teams were seen at Ronald Reagan National Airport following the collision, which involved an American Airlines flight and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. The crash resulted in both aircraft plunging into the Potomac River.

Remembering Those on Board

The Skating Club of Boston, one of the oldest and most prestigious figure skating institutions in the U.S., has trained over 145 national champions and multiple Olympians. Its state-of-the-art facility in Norwood, MA, continues to shape the future of the sport.

The loss of young athletes, experienced coaches, and dedicated parents has left the figure skating world in mourning. Jinna Han was widely regarded as a rising star, with immense potential for future success.

The plane was en route to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport when it collided with the military helicopter. The helicopter was carrying three military personnel, while the plane had 60 passengers and four crew members on board. The collision occurred in midair before both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River.

Legendary Skating Coaches Among the Victims

U.S. Figure Skating confirmed that legendary Russian-born ice skating coaches Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were also among those aboard. The married pair, who had lived in the U.S. since at least 1998, dedicated their careers to training young skaters. They had gained global recognition in 1994 when they won the pairs figure skating world championship.

Their former coach, Ludmila Velikova, 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, was not on the same plane.

An Unspeakable Loss for the Skating World

U.S. Figure Skating released a statement expressing deep sorrow: “We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and release more information as it becomes available.”

Authorities have not yet disclosed the full list of victims. However, the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita featured top athletes competing in singles, pairs, and ice dance events, including reigning U.S. champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates, Ilia Malinin, Amber Glenn, and the duo Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea.

A Future Cut Short

Sports analyst Christine Brennan emphasized the importance of the National Development Camp in shaping young skaters. She noted that many of the athletes on board were seen as future contenders for major international competitions, including the 2030 Olympic Games.

Among them was Spencer Lane, who had long aspired to earn a spot at the National Development Camp. To celebrate his achievement, he posted a collage of photos and a video on Instagram, expressing his excitement about the experience. Tragically, just hours before the crash, he posted an eerie image of the plane’s wing from his window seat, marking his journey from Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport to Ronald Reagan National Airport.

Authorities have yet to confirm the total number of casualties from the crash. However, D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly stated that as of now, 27 bodies have been recovered from the passenger jet and one from the military helicopter. Search efforts have transitioned into a recovery operation as the likelihood of finding survivors remains low.

The skating community, families, and friends of those lost continue to grieve in the wake of this unimaginable tragedy.