Crash of a Commercial Airplane in Washington: Members of the U.S. Figure Skating Team Among the Victims

A Mid-Air Collision

An American Airlines commercial airplane carrying 60 passengers and four crew members crashed into the Potomac River in Washington on Wednesday evening after a mid-air collision with a military helicopter. The accident occurred as the aircraft, a Bombardier operated by PSA Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines, was approaching Ronald Reagan National Airport. Three military personnel were aboard the helicopter.

Rescue Operations and Initial Findings

Search and rescue operations are ongoing in the freezing waters of the Potomac, but hopes of finding survivors are fading. According to American media, several bodies have already been recovered. The U.S. Figure Skating Federation confirmed that skaters, coaches, and their relatives were among the victims.

These athletes were returning from the National Development Camp, organized alongside the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas. Among the potential victims are former world champion figure skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who had become coaches in the United States. Their son, Maxim Naumov, who competed in the championships, may also have been among the passengers.

Reactions and Ongoing Investigation

“These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home after attending the National Development Camp, which was held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas,” the U.S. Figure Skating Federation confirmed in a statement. “We are devastated by this indescribable tragedy and hold the families of the victims in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation.”

President Donald Trump reacted on his social media platform, Truth Social, expressing his emotions and raising questions about the collision: “The plane was on a perfect approach path to the airport. Why didn’t the helicopter change direction? This is a situation that could have been avoided. NOT GOOD!!!”

The CEO of American Airlines expressed his “deep sorrow” in a video released by the company. A witness cited by CNN, Ari Schulman, stated that he “thought he saw the collision,” describing a “very bright yellow light” while driving on a highway running between Washington, D.C., and Virginia, separated by the Potomac River.

The investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances of this tragic accident. Aviation experts are now trying to understand the reasons behind the collision, as the black boxes of both aircraft have been recovered. A preliminary report is expected in the coming days.