Tragic Plane Crash Claims 28 Members of U.S. Figure Skating Community

The collision over Washington, D.C., killed 67 people, including young skaters, coaches, and their families, leaving the skating world in mourning.

The January 29 collision between an American Airlines flight and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter resulted in no survivors among the 67 people aboard both aircraft.
U.S. Figure Skating confirmed that 28 members of its community, including 11 skaters aged 11 to 16, four coaches, and 13 family members, were among the victims.
The victims were returning from a National Development Camp in Wichita, Kansas, which followed the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.
Tributes and support efforts include a U.S. Figure Skating Family Support Fund and planned events, such as a March 2 tribute at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
The loss recalls a similar tragedy in 1961 that devastated the U.S. figure skating community, with many expressing grief and pledging to honor the victims' legacies.