At just 11 years old, they skated like champions, winning a major competition and earning recognition in the figure skating world. Their dreams, however, were tragically cut short when a devastating accident took their lives, leaving the skating community in mourning.

What began as a routine flight turned into a catastrophe when an American Airlines jet collided with a U.S. Army helicopter over the Potomac River on Wednesday night. The crash resulted in the loss of all 67 people on board, with no survivors.

By Thursday, search teams, including divers, had begun recovering bodies from the icy waters. Among the victims were figure skaters from the United States and Russia who had recently attended the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita.

One of the casualties was Delaware-based coach Alexandr “Sasha” Kirsanov, who perished alongside his students, Angela Yang and Sean Kay. His wife, Natalia Gudin, confirmed their deaths, speaking from Washington, D.C., where she had been staying temporarily. She shared that her husband’s body had yet to be recovered.

“We always use American Airlines when we go to competition,” Gudin said. “This time they go without me, and all of them are gone.” Through tears, she recalled the moment she learned of the crash and the devastating loss of her husband and the young skaters.

“This young team, Sean Kay and Angela Yang, they were so amazing,” she said. “All the judges were so proud and they had such a big future. And what, all on the same plane?” She added, “For me, it’s a triple loss.”

Angela and Sean had a promising future in the sport. At just 11 years old, they had already made an impression on the figure skating world. They won first place in the Juvenile Dance PD 1 category at the 2025 Midwestern Sectional U.S. Ice Dance Final.

Their dedication and talent made them a formidable pair in competitive ice dancing. Angela’s love for skating began as a solo dancer, but she had always dreamed of having a partner who could match her energy.

Her mother, Lily, made a significant sacrifice to help her pursue that dream. She moved their family from Maryland to Delaware so Angela could train with some of the best coaches in the country. To allow her daughter to focus on skating, Lily homeschooled her.

Angela’s father remained in China, working tirelessly to support his family from afar while his wife raised their three children on her own.

For Sean, skating was a family tradition. The second oldest of four siblings, he initially started skating because of his older sister. However, it did not take long for him to surpass not only her but also many of his peers.

By the time he reached the juvenile level, Sean was excelling in solo dance competitions across the country. His skill was undeniable, and his ambitions stretched beyond juvenile and intermediate levels. He had plans to compete in junior solo dance while continuing his partnership with Angela in intermediate next season.

Sean’s mother, Julia, a dedicated night nurse, homeschooled all four of her children while working long shifts at the hospital. She was his biggest supporter, ensuring he had the resources and encouragement to pursue his dreams.

Angela and Sean’s victory at the 2025 Midwestern Sectional Final was meant to be just the beginning of their journey. Their future, filled with endless possibilities, was tragically stolen.

They were aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, returning home after attending a developmental skating camp in Wichita. Accompanying them were their devoted mothers, Lily and Julia, who had always supported their ambitions. Angela is survived by her father and two siblings, while Sean leaves behind his father and three siblings.

The devastating loss extended beyond Angela and Sean, sending shockwaves throughout the figure skating world. Multiple athletes, coaches, and family members who had been on Flight 5342 perished when the aircraft collided with a military helicopter near Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night.

Among the victims was 16-year-old skater Spencer Lane, along with his mother and two Russian coaches from the Skating Club of Boston.

Another promising young talent, 13-year-old Jinna Han from Mansfield, was also lost in the tragedy. She had been traveling with her mother, Jin, and fellow skaters from Boston when the accident occurred.

The figure skating community was left in shock as the magnitude of the loss became clear. The news site Golden Skate confirmed that several members of the U.S. Figure Skating community, including athletes and coaches, were among the deceased.

The tragedy also took the lives of two well-respected Russian coaches, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who had played a significant role in the international figure skating world. Their absence leaves an irreplaceable void. Longtime friend and renowned coach Rafael Arutyunyan expressed his sorrow, revealing that he had skaters competing in Wichita but had chosen to remain in California, narrowly avoiding the catastrophe.

As news of the crash spread, devastated families and friends turned to social media to express their sorrow and honor those they had lost.

One grieving family member shared on Facebook, “My heart is broken tonight at the loss of my cousin Roger Haynos, his wife Stephanie Branton Haynos, and their son Cory. They were killed in the plane crash last night near Washington, D.C.”

Tributes poured in, with social media flooded with messages of remembrance. People from all over the world mourned the victims, sharing their heartbreak and disbelief.

“So sad. They were so young 💔,” one person wrote in honor of Angela and Sean. Another added, “May their memories be forever a blessing.”

Many reflected on the immense talent lost in the crash. “My God, they were so incredibly talented. What a devastating loss in every way,” one commenter shared.

Others struggled to put their grief into words. “OMG, how heartbreaking. I’m devastated,” one wrote. Another sympathized, “Wow… that is just incredibly sad. Sending love to all their families 💔 heartbreaking.”

The tragedy has deeply shaken the figure skating community and beyond. As the recovery efforts continue, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation to determine the cause of the collision. Authorities hope to provide answers to the families and to a grieving community left heartbroken by the sudden loss of so many promising lives.