Tragic DC Plane Crash Claims Rising Skater Spencer Lane and Others, Sending Shockwaves Through U.S. Figure Skating

In late January 2025, a devastating plane crash near Washington, D.C., cut short the lives of more than 60 passengers, including several prominent and promising figure skaters. The tragedy has drawn comparisons to the heartbreaking 1961 crash that claimed the entire U.S. figure skating team and has once again left the entire skating community grieving.

Among the victims was 16-year-old Spencer Lane, a rising star in men’s figure skating from Rhode Island who had recently wowed audiences and fellow athletes with his explosive energy and advanced technique. He was joined on the flight by multiple other skaters, coaches, and family members, including 13-year-old competitor Jinna Han, World Champion coaches Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, and the mothers of both Spencer and Jinna.

This article explores who Spencer Lane was, how the figure skating community has responded to this immense loss, and how the incident ties into broader discussions—ranging from the questions of air travel safety, to a Trump press conference in which the former President cited DEI policies as part of the crash’s cause.

Below is an in-depth look at the tragedy, profiling those most directly affected, examining known facts about the midair collision, reviewing the official response from U.S. Figure Skating, and discussing the wave of tributes that have poured in from fans, coaches, and skating legends, including Nancy Kerrigan.

THE SKATING COMMUNITY’S TRAGEDY: THEN AND NOW

A Painful Echo of 1961

For the U.S. figure skating community, the January 2025 disaster brings haunting parallels to the infamous 1961 plane crash that decimated the entire U.S. Figure Skating team en route to the World Championships in Prague. That catastrophe forced U.S. skating to rebuild from scratch. The scope of that loss lingered over the sport for decades.

Now, the community is in shock facing yet another accident claiming numerous enthusiastic young athletes, beloved coaches, and devoted family members. For many in the sport—especially older coaches who remember the stories told about 1961—this accident rekindles memories of a heartbreaking history they had hoped never to see repeated.

A Close-Knit World

U.S. figure skating has always been a particularly close community. Skaters, parents, and coaches devote their mornings, nights, weekends, and school vacations to the rink. People within the sport travel across the country to the same competitions and camps, forging lifelong connections.

As we have learned in the coverage of this tragedy, the lines between competitor and friend are very thin in figure skating. The loss of even one bright mind or skater can reverberate through the entire circle of clubs, federations, and supporters. The heartbreaking toll of this latest plane crash has done exactly that.

WHO WAS SPENCER LANE?

Background and Initial Rise

According to reports from USA TODAY and multiple outlets, Spencer Lane, 16, hailed from Barrington, Rhode Island. He briefly attended Barrington High School before devoting himself fully to figure skating. Despite being relatively new to the sport, he quickly advanced through the competitive pipeline.
Coaches at the Skating Club of Boston—one of the nation’s foremost training centers—took notice of Lane’s raw ability and fearless approach on the ice. Colleagues described him as not just a talented athlete, but an instant bright spot in the rink for both skaters and coaches of all ages.

Infectious Personality

Spencer’s father, Douglas Lane, remembered his adopted son as someone whom “everyone loved,” from the youngest beginners on the ice to the high-performance Olympians. “He was a force of nature,” Lane said in local interviews, adding that Spencer had limitless enthusiasm for the sport, and an uncanny ability to hit advanced triple jumps—such as the difficult triple toe loop—after only a few years on the ice. Social media posts from the teen showed him practicing these advanced elements at a development camp held in Wichita, Kansas just days before the crash.

Last Social Media Posts

Like many high-level skaters, Spencer used TikTok and Instagram to document his progress and celebrate his achievements. On Wednesday, January 29, just hours before the fateful flight took off from Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT), he shared a final photo from the plane.

That image, posted to his Instagram Stories, showed the aircraft’s wing with the caption, “ICT->DCA,” referencing his route from Wichita to Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA).

He also posted a reflective message about how grateful he was to attend the U.S. Figure Skating-organized training program, giving special thanks to his coaches and supporters for believing in his future. No one could have predicted that this hopeful post would be his last.

OTHER FIGURE SKATING VICTIMS

Jinna Han, Age 13

Another teenage skater on board the doomed plane was 13-year-old Jinna Han (sometimes spelled Jin Han). Like Spencer, she was an emerging talent with the Skating Club of Boston. Commentary from club leadership described her as a kind, friendly competitor, beloved by many for her gracious personality and strong work ethic.

Jinna’s mother, Jin Han, was traveling with her on Flight 5342. They had also been in Wichita for the same development camp. According to those close to the family, Jin was a “model parent,” known for supporting not only her own daughter, but cheering on all the skaters. U.S. Figure Skating officials lamented that Jinna’s youth and promise made the news even harder to bear.

Coaches: Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov

Two revered figures in pairs skating, Russian-born coaches and former World Champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, were also among the passengers who did not survive. Known for their 1994 World Championship title and two Olympic appearances (1992 and 1994), they eventually emigrated to the United States in the late 1990s to coach the next generation of talent.

By 2025, Shishkova and Naumov were deeply entrenched in the U.S. coaching scene. They worked closely with top prospects at the Skating Club of Boston and at other rinks around the country. Their decades of knowledge and proven track record—even coaching their son, Maxim Naumov—made them beloved mentors.

It is not confirmed from official sources whether 23-year-old Maxim, also a competitive skater, was on this same flight. Some news reports mention uncertainty about his whereabouts that evening, but official statements have not detailed whether he traveled separately.

Others Believed On Board

• Mothers Christine Lane (49) and Jin Han were among the adult victims tied to the skating community.
• Reports indicate that as many as 14 people affiliated with U.S. figure skating—athletes, parents, or coaches—were on board.

• Another coach, Inna Volyanskaya, was identified in some local coverage. She was known to have skated internationally for the Soviet Union before transitioning to a coaching role in Virginia.

Exactly how many figure skaters perished has varied slightly among reports. Some outlets mention six from the Skating Club of Boston alone, and 14 overall from various rinks across the country. It appears there were no survivors from the flight or from the helicopter.

THE MID-AIR COLLISION: WHAT WE KNOW

Flight 5342 and the Helicopter

According to multiple news outlets (citing the National Transportation Safety Board), American Eagle Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, was a Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ-700) carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. The flight was en route from Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington, D.C. (DCA). Sometime around 9 p.m. local time, while on approach to Reagan National Airport, the passenger jet collided in midair with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter that was conducting a training operation.
Later statements by officials indicated there were three individuals aboard the Black Hawk. All perished, making the total death toll from the crash 67 (64 on the plane, plus 3 in the helicopter). Early reporting sometimes cited 60 or 64 total on the plane, but the final figure consistently mentioned in the days thereafter was at least 60 passengers and four crew, plus 3 on the helicopter.

Location of the Crash

After the collision, both the plane and the helicopter lost control and fell into the Potomac River, reminiscent of several historical air incidents around Washington, D.C. The region’s cold winter temperature and the nighttime conditions complicated rescue and recovery efforts. Local first responders launched boats, divers, and helicopters to search for survivors, but officials soon confirmed that the loss of life was total.

Immediate Aftermath

John Donnelly, the District of Columbia Fire and EMS Chief, described the rescue attempts as “extraordinarily challenging.” The NTSB quickly recovered both the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder (“black boxes”) from the wreckage. They will piece together the timeline of events, likely focusing on the air traffic control instructions, the location and altitude of the helicopter, and how a near approach to Reagan National might have contributed to the disaster.

Ongoing Investigation

Several agencies—including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the NTSB, and the U.S. Army—are participating in the investigation. Given the presence of a Black Hawk helicopter, the Army’s internal review is also underway to see if there was any miscommunication, flight path deviation, or other factor that put the two aircraft on a collision course.
No official cause has been announced as of this article’s publication. Investigators typically take months to issue a preliminary report, and final analyses can take over a year.

COMMEMORATIONS IN THE FIGURE SKATING WORLD

Nancy Kerrigan’s Emotional Response

Among the most high-profile names to speak out about the tragedy is Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan. A Massachusetts native with ties to the Skating Club of Boston, Kerrigan was seen in local coverage breaking down in tears as she spoke about the many promising athletes who died. Kerrigan is famously remembered for her own personal trials leading up to the 1994 Olympics and remains deeply involved in the figure skating world, often lending her voice to support new generations.

It is worth noting that Nancy Kerrigan and fellow Olympian Tonya Harding were historically paired in the spotlight due to the notorious attack on Kerrigan in January 1994. However, in this context, Kerrigan’s remarks were purely about mourning the lost members of the figure skating community and offering condolences to their families.

Tributes from Other Skating Legends

• Ilia Malinin, the record-breaking jumper who had recently wowed fans with his quad jump mastery, posted a simple black square to social media with the caption: “Heartbroken. #USFigureSkatingFamily.”
• Veteran commentator and Olympic champion Scott Hamilton expressed that the tragedy reminded him of “the fragility of life and the closeness of our [skating] family.”
• Tara Lipinski similarly posted a series of broken-heart emojis, indicating her sorrow at the news.

Responses from the Skating Club of Boston

Doug Zeghibe, CEO and executive director of the Skating Club of Boston, gave multiple interviews emphasizing the magnitude of the loss. The club remains in mourning, having lost at least six associated individuals: two teen skaters and four adults. Zeghibe stressed that the organization would do everything they could to honor the victims’ memories and support the grieving families.

U.S. Figure Skating’s Official Statement

The national governing body for figure skating in the United States announced that it was “devastated by this unspeakable tragedy” and expressed condolences to the families of all those involved. They indicated that grief counselors and mental health resources would be made available to skaters, coaches, and staff impacted by the event. Additionally, a post-competition gala that was planned in another city was canceled in light of the shocking news.

HOW MANY PEOPLE DIED IN THE PLANE CRASH?

When tragic incidents occur, it’s normal to see a range of preliminary figures shared in the media. Authorities ultimately confirmed that there were no survivors from either the passenger plane or the helicopter.
Breaking down the numbers:
• Airplane: 60 passengers and 4 crew = 64 total
• Helicopter: 3 personnel
• Total fatalities: 67

Among the 64 plane passengers, at least 14 have been confirmed as figure skating-affiliated individuals (athletes, parents, or coaches). The exact breakdown of which clubs or states they represented is still being clarified, but the impact has radiated across the entire U.S. figure skating landscape.

THE PILOTS AND OTHER NAMES IN CIRCULATION

Searching for Confirmed Pilot Names

In the immediate aftermath, many individuals turned to social media to discuss rumored pilot names—such as Jonathan Campos, Sam Lilley, Ryan O’Hara, or Andrew Eaves. However, as of the latest official statements, no mainstream outlet has confirmed any of these individuals as the pilot of the CRJ-700 or the Black Hawk.

Helicopter Pilot and Crew

Likewise, the identity of the Black Hawk’s pilot and the two additional personnel on board remains undisclosed in official briefings. The Army typically provides such information only after family notifications.

Avoiding Speculation

While rumors swirl, it is essential to refrain from citing unverified information. The NTSB is expected to release a preliminary report; only then will the names of the airline flight crew or the military helicopter crew likely become part of the public record, assuming the families are comfortable with the information being shared.

TRUMP PRESS CONFERENCE AND THE DEI CONTROVERSY

Former President Trump’s Comments

Within 24 hours of the crash, news outlets reported on a press conference in which Donald Trump discussed the incident. Multiple sources, including Newsweek, indicated that Trump blamed the crash in part on DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies within the Federal Aviation Administration or the airline industry. He also accused the Biden and Obama administrations of weakening air travel safety by prioritizing such policies over “common sense.”

Public Reaction and Context

Critics quickly responded by pointing out that the U.S. has had one of the safest airspaces in the world, with the last major domestic airline disaster happening many years ago. Others see it as an attempt on Trump’s part to score political points rather than reflect real findings from official investigators, who had not yet released any conclusions.

For its part, the FAA has not directly responded to Trump’s claims, focusing instead on working with the NTSB to clarify the precise cause of the midair collision. Whether or not staffing, training protocols, or alleged diversity policies played any role remains unknown.

Broader DEI Discussions

It is true that the FAA, like many government agencies, promotes workforce diversity and inclusive hiring. Yet so far, no evidence has surfaced linking these policies to the DC plane crash. Officials maintain that mechanical, navigational, or communication breakdowns are more likely the cause of such a collision than a broad-based policy. Nonetheless, these statements have thrust DEI discussions into the national spotlight once again.

MONUMENTS, MEMORIALS, AND THE FUTURE

Honoring the Victims

As the figure skating world grapples with losing so many bright lights at once, tributes continue to appear in rinks across the country. Some clubs hosted candlelight vigils and set aside memory walls for local skaters to post pictures or write messages. Others dedicated entire practice sessions to the victims, wearing ribbons in their honor.
The Skating Club of Boston is said to be planning a permanent memorial inside its facility, ensuring that the memories of Spencer Lane, Jinna Han, and their coaches remain central to the rink’s history.

Support for the Families

Counseling services and financial assistance funds have emerged to help surviving relatives with funeral costs, including extended families for Christine Lane and Jin Han. Similarly, for the coaches’ families—like the extended family of Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov—U.S. Figure Skating is offering logistical support
.

Looking Toward Safety Reforms

While the investigation unfolds, calls for improved midair collision avoidance systems around busy metropolitan areas have grown. Some want more advanced radar or communications procedures near airports such as DCA, which sits amidst restricted airspace and multiple flight paths. Additionally, the presence of a military training helicopter in the same airspace as a commercial flight might prompt new protocols.

The Legacy of 2025’s Tragedy

The heartbreak from this accident is profound. Yet if the sport learned anything from 1961, it is that the figure skating community stands tall in the face of adversity. Many expect the next generation of skaters—some of whom personally knew the victims—to honor their friends by continuing to train and compete, dedicating their achievements to those who lost their lives.
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NANCY KERRIGAN, RYAN O’HARA, AND OTHER NAMES FROM FAN QUERIES
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The search volume around many names, including Nancy Kerrigan, Andrew Eaves, Ryan O’Hara, and others, soared in the wake of this tragedy. Here is what we know and do not know:
• Nancy Kerrigan: She was not on the flight. She offered an emotional tribute and has been prominently featured in local coverage due to her ties to Massachusetts skating.
• Ryan O’Hara, Sam Lilley, Andrew Eaves, Jonathan Campos (Pilot?), and Ian Epstein: There is currently no verified information that these individuals were directly connected to the crash. Their names appear online in rumor mills, but major news outlets have not confirmed any involvement.
• Maxim Naumov: He is the adult son of coaches Shishkova and Naumov. While his parents were among the victims, official reports are unclear on whether he traveled separately or remained in Wichita.
It is understandable that people want clarity about all individuals on board. As the official passenger list becomes fully known, the families have the final say in what data they want released publicly.
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ARE THERE ANY SURVIVORS?
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Multiple press releases from local agencies, including the District of Columbia Fire and EMS, indicated there were no survivors. This includes the 64 onboard the plane and the 3 aboard the Black Hawk helicopter, for a total of 67 fatalities. Recovery operations continued for several days to locate and identify remains. By January 31, 2025, local authorities confirmed it was a recovery mission rather than a rescue mission.
It is believed that all bodies have been accounted for, though official identifications sometimes lag. As for those asking how many bodies have been recovered, updates indicate that multiple remains were located in the Potomac River. The final steps involve matching them to DNA or personal effects for formal identification.
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CONCLUSION
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The January 2025 plane crash near Washington, D.C. has left a tidal wave of grief for the families of 67 people, including budding talents like Spencer Lane and 13-year-old Jinna Han, world-class coaches such as Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, and caring parents devoted to their children’s skating dreams. U.S. Figure Skating, local clubs, and the entire sporting world are in mourning.
In the weeks and months to come, investigators will release more details about how exactly an American Eagle CRJ-700, carrying at least 14 figure skating-affiliated passengers, found itself on a collision course with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. But no matter what those final reports reveal, the heartbreak felt by the families, the figure skating community, and indeed all who have followed the story will take far longer to heal.
As the sports world pays tribute to the victims, the only solace is in the collective solidarity: from Nancy Kerrigan’s tears, to tributes by fellow Olympians, to support funds set up by local rinks. The memory of talented skaters like Spencer Lane—who sought to “learn something new every day” and reach the pinnacle of his sport—will continue to live on in the hearts of those he inspired. In the aftermath of a tragedy reminiscent of that fateful 1961 crash, the figure skating community will once again come together, support one another, and persevere.