A devastating midair collision between an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over Washington, D.C., has left the figure skating world in mourning. The flight, carrying elite young skaters, their coaches, and families, crashed into the Potomac River late Wednesday night, killing many onboard. The skaters had been returning from a prestigious U.S. Figure Skating development camp in Wichita, Kansas. As of Thursday morning, rescue teams have recovered at least 18 bodies, while officials continue their search in freezing waters.

The victims include renowned Russian-born coaches Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who were 1994 world champions in pairs figure skating. Since 1998, they had trained young American athletes, shaping the careers of future stars. Their 23-year-old son, Maxim Naumov, who competed in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships last week, was not on the flight. U.S. Figure Skating released a statement confirming that several members of the skating community were aboard the doomed flight and expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. The organization has not yet released the names of the young skaters involved, leaving the community anxiously awaiting news.

The American Airlines jet, Flight 5342, was on approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport when it collided with the Army helicopter, leading to immediate loss of control. Rescue teams, the U.S. Coast Guard, and local authorities have been working tirelessly in the dark, freezing conditions of the Potomac River to locate survivors. Investigators are now reviewing communications between air traffic control and the helicopter pilots, as reports suggest controllers asked the Black Hawk crew if they had the jet “in sight” just 30 seconds before impact.

The tragedy has also sparked grief internationally. The Russian government acknowledged the deaths of Shishkova and Naumov, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov offering condolences to their families and the skating community. However, he stated that President Vladimir Putin does not plan to personally offer condolences to President Donald Trump regarding the crash. Meanwhile, skaters across the world are expressing shock and sadness. On Instagram, 14-year-old skater Jasmin Liu listed several of her friends who may have been on board, writing, “Praying for everyone’s safety.”

The figure skating world is reeling from this sudden and heartbreaking loss. Many of the young athletes aboard had been training for international competitions, making the crash a devastating blow to the sport. As investigations continue into what caused this catastrophic collision, the focus remains on supporting the families of the victims and honoring the legacy of those who lost their lives.