The American Airlines flight that went down in the Potomac following a mid-air collision with a Black Hawk helicopter had dozens of people on board, including members of the U.S. Figure Skating community.
The victims were on their way home after participating in the U.S. Figure Skating National Development Camp in Wichita, Kansas.
Two skaters from the Ann Arbor Figure Skating Club also attended the camp.
“We have seen pictures of the kids with some of the victims on the plane today that have circulated among our coaching staff. So, it’s just terrible, and these kids should not be experiencing such a tragedy at their age,” said AAFSC Coach Douglas Haw.
Haw said he knew two passengers on Flight 5342, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who were coaches at the Skating Club of Boston.
Four other people with ties to the Boston club were also on the flight.
“Almost all of the people in the Detroit community would know of someone, and we are all in shock. We are thinking of the families that are left that have to find some strength to continue on. And we are also worried as coaches about our athletes and how it’s going to affect them in the coming days,” Haw said.
Several Metro Detroit skating clubs released statements on social media.
“AAFSC extends our deepest condolences to all of the families and loved ones of those who were on American Airlines flight 5342. Our thoughts and prayers are with our whole community this morning,” AAFSC said.
The Novi Ice Arena said: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all involved in the tragic plane crash at Reagan National Airport.”
The Arctic Figure Skating Club, located in Canton, stated: “Today, our thoughts go to the families and loved ones of those affected by the tragic American Eagle 5342 plane crash at Reagan National Airport.”
“The Detroit Skating Club is devastated by the recent news. Our hearts go out to our skating community. We send our deepest condolences to all the loved ones and families impacted by this tragedy,” posted the Detroit Skating Club, which is in Bloomfield Hills.
“Our skating community has experienced a devastating loss. May we honor those we lost by holding them in our hearts and by supporting those who loved them,” Haw said.
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