Tragedy in the USA: Death of figure skaters in plane and helicopter crash
31 january 2025 в 19:13
American figure skating mourns the loss of several figure skaters who died in a tragic plane crash this week. The plane, which crashed near Washington around January 29, collided with a military helicopter. As details of the tragic collision unfolded, two pilots from the Black Hawk helicopter were identified. Despite widespread confusion among the public, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth clarified that the crew was «sufficiently experienced» and was conducting a «mandatory annual night assessment» when the crash occurred.
On Wednesday, January 29, 2025, American Airlines flight number 5342 crashed into the Potomac River after colliding with a Black Hawk helicopter in the evening. District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Chief John Donnelly informed the public that there were no survivors in the collision.
The American Airlines plane was flying to Reagan National Airport in Virginia from Wichita, Kansas.
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ABC News Live (@ABCNewsLive) January 30, 2025
The two pilots from the Black Hawk helicopter were identified as Senior Mechanic Ryan O’Hara and Senior Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Ives. O’Hara, a 29-year-old father of a one-year-old child, was reported by CBS News, and Ives' wife confirmed his death on social media. The identity of the female second pilot from the helicopter has not been disclosed, according to various sources.
Hegseth addressed the public after the tragedy in a video obtained by Fox News, confirming that the Black Hawk helicopter crew was «sufficiently experienced» and «underwent mandatory annual night assessment».
«We expect the investigation to quickly determine whether the plane was at the correct altitude at the time of the incident», - Hegseth added. «This is a tragedy, a terrible loss of life for those 64 souls on that civilian airliner. And, of course, for the three soldiers in that Black Hawk helicopter. They are in our prayers, their families and their communities will be notified».
Two experienced Russian figure skaters who later became coaches in the USA died in the crash. Their names were Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov. Along with the coaches, several young figure skaters, including teenagers Jinna Han and Spencer Lane, as well as some of their parents who were on board, also perished
On Wednesday, January 29, 2025, American Airlines flight number 5342 crashed into the Potomac River after colliding with a Black Hawk helicopter in the evening. District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Chief John Donnelly informed the public that there were no survivors in the collision.
The American Airlines plane was flying to Reagan National Airport in Virginia from Wichita, Kansas.
Follow live updates: https://t.co/nAz8BXUfgN pic.twitter.com/zlilkT9hZK
ABC News Live (@ABCNewsLive) January 30, 2025
The two pilots from the Black Hawk helicopter were identified as Senior Mechanic Ryan O’Hara and Senior Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Ives. O’Hara, a 29-year-old father of a one-year-old child, was reported by CBS News, and Ives' wife confirmed his death on social media. The identity of the female second pilot from the helicopter has not been disclosed, according to various sources.
Hegseth addressed the public after the tragedy in a video obtained by Fox News, confirming that the Black Hawk helicopter crew was «sufficiently experienced» and «underwent mandatory annual night assessment».
«We expect the investigation to quickly determine whether the plane was at the correct altitude at the time of the incident», - Hegseth added. «This is a tragedy, a terrible loss of life for those 64 souls on that civilian airliner. And, of course, for the three soldiers in that Black Hawk helicopter. They are in our prayers, their families and their communities will be notified».
Two experienced Russian figure skaters who later became coaches in the USA died in the crash. Their names were Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov. Along with the coaches, several young figure skaters, including teenagers Jinna Han and Spencer Lane, as well as some of their parents who were on board, also perished
© Artemenko Olga
