Per this morning’s press conference, DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly has told reporters: “We are now at a point where we’re switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation.
“At this point, we don’t believe there are any survivors from this accident.”
Per CNN and NBC News, it has also been reported that twenty-seven bodies had been recovered from the passenger jet, and one had been recovered from the military helicopter.
Amid the fallout of the tragic mid-air collision of American Airlines Flight 5342 over Washington, D.C., Russian authorities have confirmed that two former world champion figure skaters were among the passengers.
A helicopter assists with search and rescue operations over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington Airport. Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
State-run Russian news agency TASS has named Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, – the married pair skating champions who claimed gold at the 1994 World Figure Skating Championships – as being on board the doomed plane, per Reuters.
The couple, who have lived in the US for years training young skaters, were returning from the National Development Camp held alongside the US Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas.
Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova (pictured in 1997) were reportedly on the plane. Credit: Todd Warshaw /Allsport/Gett Images
Tragically, their son, Maxim Naumov, who is also a competitive skater, may have been with them. His name was listed on the event’s official roster as a competitor, though his presence on the flight has not been officially confirmed.
TASS also reported that Inna Volyanskaya, a former Soviet figure skater and coach at the Washington Figure Skating Club, was reportedly aboard Flight 5342 as well.
US Figure Skating ‘Devastated’ by the Loss
As news broke of the involvement of high-profile skating figures in the crash, the governing body for US Figure Skating also released a statement confirming multiple members of its community were among the passengers.
“We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available,” the statement read.
There are also concerns that Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova’s son could have been on the doomed flight. Credit: Chris Cole/ALLSPORT/Getty
The revelation has sent shockwaves through the international figure skating world, with tributes already pouring in from athletes, coaches, and fans.
Meanwhile, American-Russian figure skater Anton Spiridonov has released a statement to fans confirming that he was not among the casualties the crash, despite some media outlet reporting the contrary.
“Russian news outlets have included me on a list of presumed people on the flight from Wichita to Washington D.C,” Spiridonov, who won a silver medal for the United States at the 2023 Winter World University Games, shared on Instagram.
“I was NOT on this flight, thank you for everyone’s concern for my safety. My heart goes out to all the families affected by this tragedy,” he added.
The Collision That Shook Washington, D.C.
The disaster unfolded at approximately 9:00PM local time when American Airlines Flight 5342, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, was on its final approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Signage displays an emergency message inside Ronald Reagan National Airport. Credit: Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images
Air traffic controllers had reportedly cleared the jet to land on Runway 33, and moments before the crash, they asked a nearby Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter if it had visual confirmation of the arriving aircraft, per CNN.
It has been confirmed by officials that three soldiers were onboard the helicopter.
Within seconds, the two aircraft collided in mid-air, sending wreckage spiraling down into the Potomac River below.
The jet’s radio transponder stopped transmitting 2,400 feet short of the runway.
Circulation reports state that at least 19 bodies have been recovered at this time, though authorities fear the death toll may rise as rescue efforts continue.
American Airlines CEO Vows Support for Victims’ Families
“This is a difficult day for all of us at American Airlines,” Isom said in a video statement. “Our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, partners, first responders, along with their families and loved ones.”
The airline has activated its crisis response unit and launched a helpline (1-800-679-8215) for families seeking information about loved ones aboard Flight 5342.
Search and Rescue Efforts Hampered by Dangerous Conditions
With 300 emergency responders on-site, rescue teams are battling frigid temperatures and strong winds as they scour the murky depths of the Potomac River for survivors and wreckage.
D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly described the conditions as “extremely rough”, warning that the water’s darkness and depth were complicating recovery operations.
“That is a very tough condition for them to dive in,” Donnelly added.
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Emergency response teams search the Potomac River. Credit: Andrew Harnik / Getty Images
All flights at Reagan National Airport remain suspended as investigations continue.
Eyewitness Accounts: ‘It Looked Like Shooting Stars’
Washington resident Jimmy Mazeo was eating in a park near the river when he noticed strange lights streaking across the sky.
“We saw these white flares streak across the sky. At first, we thought they were shooting stars,” he told WUSA9.
It wasn’t until first responders arrived that Mazeo realized the scale of the tragedy.
“We didn’t really think much of it until we saw the fire trucks, police cars, and boats racing toward the river. It was insane. I’m praying for all the people involved in this.”
What Comes Next?
In response to the tragedy, American Airlines has launched a special helpline (1-800-679-8215) for families seeking information about loved ones aboard Flight 5342.
“We owe everyone involved accurate and timely information,” Isom assured. “Our team of highly trained professionals will be working around the clock to support our passengers, crew, and their families, however we can.”
With so many questions still unanswered, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an in-depth investigation into the collision. American Airlines has pledged full cooperation, while aviation experts analyze whether human error, communication failures, or equipment malfunctions played a role in the catastrophe.
Meanwhile, the global figure skating community joins the nation at it awaits confirmation on the fate of Shishkova, Naumov, and Volyanskaya.
Our thoughts go out to every person impacted by this tragedy and we wish the emergency services the best with their ongoing efforts.
