Several on board fatal Flight 5342 were part of Massachusetts skating club, names of victims identified

At least 64 people are feared dead after an American Airlines passenger flight from Wichita Kansas to Reagan Washington National Airport collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter Wednesday. Several of those were part of a Massachusetts club.

Doug Zeghibe, CEO and Executive Director of The Skating Club of Boston issued a statement regarding fatal Flight 5342.

“Our sport and this Club have suffered a horrible loss with this tragedy. Skating is a tight-knit community where parents and kids come together 6 or 7 days a week to train and work together. Everyone is like family. Of the skaters, coaches and parents on the plane, we believe six were from The Skating Club of Boston. We are devastated and completely at a loss for words. 

“These athletes, coaches and parents were returning from U.S. Figure Skating’s National Development Camp, following last week’s U.S. Championships in Wichita. This camp is for young competitive skaters of tomorrow with the most promise to be a champion of tomorrow. The Club sent 18 athletes to compete at the U.S. Championships. It sent 12 athletes to the National Development Camp. 

“Athletes, coaches and family members that were on American Eagle Flight 5342 from The Skating Club of Boston include: 

Jinna Han (Athlete)

Jin Han (Mom of Jinna)

Spencer Lane (Athlete) 

Christine Lane (Mom of Spencer) 

Vadim Naumov (Coach)  

Evgenia Shishkova (Coach)

According to the club’s website, Naumov and Shishkova have 20+ years of coaching experience and were decorated pairs skaters with achievements that include:

1994 ISU World Figure Skating Championship Pairs Champion
1996 ISU Grand Prix Final Pairs Champion
1991 and 1996 Russian National Pairs Champion
Two times Olympian: 1992 Albertville placed 5th, 1994 Lillehammer placed 4th
1998 World Professional Pairs Champion
Multiple wins and medals at various International Competitions such as: ISU European Figure Skating Championship, “Skate America”, “Skate Canada”, “Nations Cup”, “Trophy Lalique”, “Russian Cup”, “NHK Trophy”

According to CNN, the crash occurred as the flight prepared for landing. The Black Hawk helicopter was on a training flight at the time. Both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River and none on board likely survived.