The nation remains in mourning following the deadliest U.S. plane crash in 24 years, a tragedy that claimed 67 lives and left an immeasurable void in the figure skating community. Among the youngest victims were 11-year-old Angela Yang and 12-year-old Sean Kay, two promising ice dancers whose futures were tragically cut short.
The disaster unfolded on the night of January 29, when a regional jet approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport collided mid-air with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. All individuals on board the aircraft were lost, including the talented young skaters, whose partnership on the ice had been nothing short of extraordinary. Angela and Sean were undefeated in juvenile ice dance this season, having secured top placements at the 2025 Midwestern Sectional Singles and U.S. Ice Dance competition in Texas.
Angela, inspired by her siblings’ love for ice hockey, began skating at a young age and quickly excelled. She initially pursued solo dance but dreamed of a partnership, a dream her mother, Lily, supported wholeheartedly. To provide Angela with the best opportunities, Lily relocated from Maryland to Delaware and dedicated herself to homeschooling her daughter, while Angela’s father remained in China.
Sean, the second oldest of four skating siblings, followed in his older sister’s footsteps but quickly surpassed his peers with his natural talent. His accomplishments included winning solo dance competitions at the juvenile and intermediate levels, and he had ambitious plans to move up to the junior level while continuing to compete with Angela in the intermediate category.
Hours before the tragic crash, Angela shared what would become her final post on Instagram, reflecting on the incredible experiences she had at the development camp in Wichita. “I’m really gonna miss my friends and all the great coaches! I can’t wait for next year!” she wrote, unaware of the heartbreak that would soon follow.
The pair was traveling with their beloved coach, 46-year-old Alexandr ‘Sasha’ Kirsanov, who also perished in the accident. His widow, Natalia Gudin, expressed her grief, lamenting not only the loss of her husband but of the young skaters she considered family. “This young team—Sean Kay and Angela Yang—they were so amazing. All the judges were so proud, and they had such a big future,” she shared, overcome with sorrow. “And what, all on the same plane? For me, it’s a triple loss.”
The crash also claimed several other members of the figure skating world. Boston skaters Jinna Han, 13, and Spencer Lane, 16, along with their mothers, were among the victims. Additionally, 1994 World Champion pair skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, along with Pennsylvania’s Livingston family—parents Donna and Peter, and their daughters Everly, 14, and Alydia, 11—were also lost in the disaster.
As the investigation continues, the figure skating community unites in grief, honoring the lives of those lost. The memory of Angela, Sean, and their fellow athletes will live on in the joy they brought to the sport, the dedication they displayed, and the dreams they tirelessly pursued. Their loss serves as a heartbreaking reminder of life’s fragility, leaving behind a legacy that will never be forgotten.
