Washington, DC Plane Crash: Married World Champion Figure Skaters Were Reportedly Aboard the Flight
A midair collision over the Potomac River led to a fatal plane crash near Washington, D.C., on January 29, 2025. Search teams are working in freezing conditions as officials assess the full extent of the tragedy. Among those reportedly on board were world-champion athletes returning from a major event.
A commercial passenger jet carrying 64 people crashed into the river after colliding midair with a military helicopter while approaching Reagan National Airport. The aircraft had taken off from Wichita, Kansas, and was minutes from landing when the accident occurred.
A view of the scene after a regional plane collided in midair with a military helicopter and crashed into the Potomac River, on January 30, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
The impact caused an explosion before the plane went down at 8:53 p.m. The number of survivors remains unclear, but officials have indicated there may be none. Onboard were several figure skaters, coaches, and family members returning from a U.S. Figure Skating development camp.
A view of the American Airlines plane in the water after it collided in midair with a military helicopter and crashed into the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., on January 30, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Crash Details and Ongoing Rescue Operations
At 8:47 p.m., a live webcam from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts reportedly captured footage of the collision, showing a fireball followed by a smoke trail. Witnesses alerted authorities, and emergency response teams were dispatched within minutes.
A helicopter flies over the scene area after a regional plane collided in midair with a military helicopter and crashed into the Potomac River, on January 30, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
The passenger jet was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. However, the military helicopter, out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia, had three soldiers on board. Rescue operations began immediately, with approximately 300 emergency responders working through the night.
A view of emergency response vehicles at Ronald Reagan National Airport following a collision between an American Airlines flight and an Army helicopter in Washington, D.C. on January 30, 2025. | Source: Getty Images
Washington Fire Chief John Donnelly described the conditions as “highly complex,” citing strong winds, freezing temperatures, and low visibility in the dark waters.
As of early Thursday, January 30, 2025, at least 19 bodies had been recovered, but the total number of fatalities remains unknown at the time of reporting.
DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly speaking at a press conference with other government officials on the rescue efforts following a collision between an American Airlines plane and an Army helicopter in Washington, D.C. on January 30, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Figure Skating Officials Confirm Athletes Were on Board
U.S. Figure Skating confirmed that multiple athletes, coaches, and family members were on the flight. “We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts,” the organization stated.
Press members work near the scene area after a regional plane collided in midair with a military helicopter and crashed into the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., on January 30, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
A source reported that as many as 15 people connected to figure skating were on board. Among them were world-champion figure skaters Vadim Naumov and his wife Evgenia Shishkova.
Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova doing their routine during the Thrifty Car Rental Skate America at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan on October 25, 1997 | Source: Getty Images
Reports also suggested that their son, Maxim Naumov, a competitive skater who recently participated in the U.S. Championships in Wichita, may have been among the passengers.
Maxim Naumov skates his free program in the men’s competition at ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating “2024 Skate America” in Allen, Texas on October 20, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Other reports named Inna Volyanskaya, a former competitive skater and coach at the Washington Figure Skating Club, as another passenger.
Vadim and Evgenia’s Legacy in Figure Skating
Vadim and Evgenia began skating together in 1985, later winning the 1994 World Championship in pairs figure skating. They finished as runners-up in 1995 before transitioning to professional careers.
Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova perform during the World Figure Skating Championships in Birmingham, England on March 7, 1995 | Source: Getty Images
After retiring from competition, the couple moved to the United States, where they became coaches, mentoring young skaters and contributing to the sport’s development. Their influence extended beyond their performances, shaping the careers of future athletes.
Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova perform during the World Figure Skating Championships in Edmonton, Canada on March 19, 1996 | Source: Getty Images
Public Reactions
The figure skating community and fans reacted to the news with shock and sorrow. One person wrote on social media, “I remember them competing. What a tragedy.” Another added, “May they all rest in peace.”
Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova at the Pairs event at the Figure Skating Championship finals on February 24, 1996 in Paris, France | Source: Getty Images
A third user recalled Maxim’s recent participation in the U.S. Championships, posting, “Naumov is one of our U.S. figure skaters who just recently competed in the U.S. nationals in Wichita that ended last Sunday. This is so sad.”
Maxim Naumov skates in the Championship Men Short Program during the 2005 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships on January 25, 2025 in Wichita, Kansas | Source: Getty Images
Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and military officials are investigating the cause of the collision. All takeoffs and landings at Reagan National Airport were halted following the crash.
The American Airlines check-in desk inside Ronald Reagan National Airport displaying an emergency message following the collision between an American Airlines flight and an Army helicopter in Washington, D.C. on January 30, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser spoke at a press conference, stating, “We are going to recover our fellow citizens,” but declined to provide an exact number of bodies recovered.
Search-and-recovery efforts are expected to continue for several days due to the complexity of the crash site. Authorities have not yet released a final passenger list or confirmed the total number of fatalities.
This is a developing story, and officials are expected to release further details as the investigation continues.
