FIGURE skaters including children were onboard the crashed American Airlines plane that plunged into a river.
Among the passengers there were reportedly champion figure skaters Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.
The plane plunged into Potomac River in Washington DC after colliding with a US Army helicopter just before 9pm.
USA Figure Skating said several members of its skating community were also on board.
It said that the athletes, coaches and relatives were travelling back home from a development camp held in Wichita, Kansas.
It said: “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 skaters were a part of the National Development Team and had competed at the US Figure Skating Championships that was held between January 20 to 26 in Wichita, Kansas.
A member of the US figure skating team Spencer Lane, 26, shared a snap from inside plane moments before takeoff.
The photo, uploaded around 7pm shows the jet on the runway at Wichita Airport.
It was captioned “ICT -> DCA” – the codes for Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed Russian nationals were onboard the plane.
He said: “Bad news from Washington today. We regret and offer condolences to the families and friends who lost those of our fellow citizens who died in this plane crash.”
He added the deaths of skaters Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova were being confirmed.
While Team USA pair skater Luke Wang said on X: “Praying for all those on the flight from Wichita to DC.
Russia’s Mash news outlet published a list of 13 skaters, many of them the children of Russian immigrants to the US who it said were believed to have been on the plane.
Former world champions in pairs figure skating Shishkova and Naumov were among the 64 people on board the flight.
The married couple, from Russia had won the world championship in 1994.
They reportedly lived in the United States since at least 1998, where they trained young ice skaters.
It was initially reported that their son Maxim, who competed for the US in singles, was also on board the plane but US figure skater Anton Spiridonov said he had left Wichita with Maxim on Monday.
He said: “I wasn’t on the flight. People I knew, I think, were.
“Maxim Naumov was not on board – he left Wichita on Monday.
“He was at the airport with me, going through security at the same time.”
It comes as…
- All 64 people on plane feared dead
- Chilling audio reveals final moments of plane
- Rescue crews grapple with cold, dark conditions
- Officials say ‘many, many, many’ dead
- US Army confirms one of its Blackhawk helicopters involved
- Trump says crash ‘could have been prevented’
Another former skater who competed for the Soviet Union, Inna Volyanskaya was also reported to have been on board.
She was a coach at the Washington figure skating club, according to its website.
“Among the passengers were skaters and coaches. Absolutely heartbreaking.”
Hopes are dwindling for survivors with officials warning there are “many, many” dead after the jet reportedly split in two.
American Eagle Flight 5342 from Kansas was approaching Runway 33 at Ronald Reagan International Airport when it collided with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter just before 9pm.
The twin engine Bombardier CRJ700 plunged into the Potomac River in Washington DC’s when it collided with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter.
It was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members.
Horror CCTV from the Kennedy Center showed the moment the aircraft burst into flames after crashing in the air.
Rescue crews are grappling with dark, cold conditions to search for any survivors as police divers and boats scour the freezing waters.
Officials say there are “many, many, many” people dead, but have not confirmed the tragic toll.
More than 300 emergency workers are at the scene, with the airport’s fire chief saying the operation will last “many hours”.
Crash could have been prevented, Trump says
Posting on Truth Social, he said: “The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport.
“The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time.
“It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn.
“Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane.
“This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!”
At least 18 bodies have reportedly been pulled from the river so far.
But sources told NBCNews the number of bodies recovered from the crash site is “approaching 20”.
Chilling audio from air traffic control has revealed the final communications between the aircraft and air traffic control.
American Airlines chief Robert Isom expressed his “deep sorrow” over the crash and said it is a “difficult day”.
He added: “Are efforts now are focussed on entirely on the needs our passengers, crew members, partners, first responders– along with their families and loved ones.”
President Donald Trump said he is “monitoring” the situation – and claimed the incident “should have been prevented” in a post on Truth Social.
He said: “I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport.
“May God Bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders.
“I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.”
Ukrainian President Zelensky voiced his support for the US and praised rescue teams’ efforts after the “shocking” collision.
He said on a social media post: “Our condolences to the victims’ families and loved ones.
“Our words of support go out to President Trump and the American people during this tragic time.”
