An American Airlines flight that collided with an American army helicopter, which led to one of the most devastating airline disasters for decades has gone up to two tragedies.
On Wednesday evening, several members associated with American figure skating and their families were on the plane which collided with the helicopter. At least six had links with the Boston skating club, located in Norwood, Massachusetts.
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Emergency intervention units respond to the site of the American Airlines aircraft accident and a Black Hawk helicopter on the Potomac river in Arlington, Virginia, Thursday, January 30, 2025. (Leigh Green for PK Press Club Digital)
The artistic skating community has felt the effects of a tragedy of airlines in the past.
Eighteen members of the American figure skating team were killed in an airplane accident in Berg-Kampenhout, Belgium, en route to Prague for the World Figure Skating Championships. Laurence Owen and Steffi Westerfield were one of the people killed in the accident. They were considered as rising stars in sport and were preparing for an Olympic offer.
There were 73 people on board 548 Sabena. The New York Daily News reported, quoting the investigators, that it was probably the stabilizers of the jet who caused the incident.
“American figure skating can confirm that several members of our skating community were unfortunately aboard the American Airlines Flight 5342 flight, which collided with a helicopter last night in Washington, DC,” said American figure skating in a press release. “These athletes, coaches and family members returned home from the national development camp held in collaboration with the American craft skating championships in Wichita, Kansas.
Live updates: the military helicopter collided with planes near Reagan National Airport
View of the stage of the airplane accident of the Sabena Flight 548, on February 15, 1961, near Brussels after the Boeing 707 planes crushed on the way to Brussels, Belgium, New York, killing 72 people on the way Towards the world of 1961 Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia. (STF / Belga / AFP via Getty Images)
“We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the families of the victims closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and publish more information as it will be available.”
The mayor of Wichita, Lily Wu, addressed the tragedy at a press conference.
“It was really an honor to have future Olympians and those who are at the highest level of figure skating, here in our capital,” she said.
“We were so excited to have the opportunity to welcome the national championship, and even yesterday, people told me how wonderful have been wonderful with additional people who came to our community, whether for look or participate. So our community was really excited and grateful that everything went well with the championship.
The city of Wichita has been described as a community in two, which is not foreign to tragic aircraft incidents either.
The Wichita State University football team, flying in a Martin 404, crashed in Colorado in 1970, killing 31 people. Eight players and the co-pilot survived, according to the Topeka Capital-Journal.
The cause of the accident was determined to be due to a pilot error.
“Wichita is located in the heart of our nation, and today we are in mourning. I received this morning confirmation that no one has survived the accident of American Airlines Flight 5342”, wrote Senator Jerry Moran, R-Kan. Thursday on X.
“It’s a sad day for Kansas and our nation. My heart breaks for the life that has been lost and their loved ones who learn now that their family or friends were in flight.
The Martin 404 chartered transported football players, coaches and guests from Wichita State University in Utah. (Duane Howell / The Denver Post via Getty Images)
“There will be a lot to learn and do in the coming days following this tragedy, but today, join me to pray for the victims and their families. May God comfort them and watch over all those who cry. “”
