TRAGIC: U.S. Figure Skating Team Joined by Renowned Russian Figure Skating Couple Among Passengers on Ill-Fated Flight from Wichita to Washington, D.C.

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TRAGIC: U.S. Figure Skating Team Joined by Renowned Russian Figure Skating Couple Among Passengers on Ill-Fated Flight from Wichita to Washington, D.C. (archive.today)

Young members of the U.S. Figure Skating Team and a renowned Russian figure skating couple were tragically among the passengers on a domestic flight from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington, D.C.

In a devastating incident late Wednesday night, an American Airlines regional jet en route from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington, D.C., collided mid-air with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

First responders at Reagan National Airport are reportedly transitioning from a search and rescue operation to a recovery effort, according to CNN.

While official confirmation is pending, law enforcement sources have revealed the grim nature of the unfolding situation.

“I spoke with a law enforcement source just a few minutes ago. He told me that there’s a really somber mood, even at the rescue scene,” CNN reporter Gabe Cohen said.

“It feels — certainly not officially — but that we’re sort of moving from that ‘search-and-rescue operation’ into a recovery effort. They have pulled several bodies out. There are fatalities confirmed at the scene. And now we’re just waiting for answers.”

“While officials wouldn’t give us any information on the recovery, potential survivors, or the fatality count, you could tell it was not good and that, barring a miracle, they were looking at potentially the worst disaster here in Washington in decades.”

A police official on the scene told CBS News that three debris fields were spotted in the water and at least 18 bodies had been recovered as of 10:30 p.m. CT.

The official confirmed that no survivors had been found, contradicting earlier reports from the media that four survivors were discovered.

Among the 60 passengers aboard the flight were several members of the U.S. Figure Skating community, including coaches and young skaters who had recently participated in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, The Wichita Eagle reported.

“These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas,” a statement by U.S. Figure Skating said.

A source told Reuters that as many as 15 people on the flight may have been involved in figure skating.

Renowned figure skating coaches and former world champions Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, were also among the passengers. . .

>Young members of the U.S. Figure Skating Team and a renowned Russian figure skating couple were tragically among the passengers on a domestic flight from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington, D.C. >In a devastating incident late Wednesday night, an American Airlines regional jet en route from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington, D.C., collided mid-air with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. >First responders at Reagan National Airport are reportedly transitioning from a search and rescue operation to a recovery effort, according to CNN. >While official confirmation is pending, law enforcement sources have revealed the grim nature of the unfolding situation. >“I spoke with a law enforcement source just a few minutes ago. He told me that there’s a really somber mood, even at the rescue scene,” CNN reporter Gabe Cohen said. >“It feels — certainly not officially — but that we’re sort of moving from that ‘search-and-rescue operation’ into a recovery effort. They have pulled several bodies out. There are fatalities confirmed at the scene. And now we’re just waiting for answers.” >“While officials wouldn’t give us any information on the recovery, potential survivors, or the fatality count, you could tell it was not good and that, barring a miracle, they were looking at potentially the worst disaster here in Washington in decades.” >A police official on the scene told CBS News that three debris fields were spotted in the water and at least 18 bodies had been recovered as of 10:30 p.m. CT. >The official confirmed that no survivors had been found, contradicting earlier reports from the media that four survivors were discovered. >Among the 60 passengers aboard the flight were several members of the U.S. Figure Skating community, including coaches and young skaters who had recently participated in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, The Wichita Eagle reported. >“These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas,” a statement by U.S. Figure Skating said. >A source told Reuters that as many as 15 people on the flight may have been involved in figure skating. >Renowned figure skating coaches and former world champions Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, were also among the passengers. . . [Video Only](https://twitter.com/i/status/1884882027679555882) [Source](https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/01/u-s-figure-skating-team-joined-renowned-russian/)

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