The search for answers continues after a heartbreaking mid-air collision over Washington, DC, on Wednesday night.
An American Airlines jet carrying 64 people slammed into a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter during a training mission, sending both crashing into the icy Potomac River.
There were no survivors—making it the deadliest U.S. airline disaster in over a decade.
Among those lost were young skating prodigies, a pilot who had just gotten engaged, flight attendants who made the skies feel like home, and a lawyer rushing back to celebrate her birthday. Their stories ended far too soon.
Here’s a look at the lives we lost.
A Community in Mourning: Teenage Skaters and Coaches Lost in the Crash
Skating clubs across the country are devastated, as 14 of the victims were returning from a prestigious U.S. Figure Skating development camp in Wichita, Kansas.
Many of them were rising stars, dedicating their lives to the sport, while others were seasoned coaches who had spent decades shaping young talent.
Vadim Naumov & Evgenia Shishkova

Married figure skating champions Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova were more than just coaches—they were legends in the sport.
The 1994 world pairs champions had been guiding young skaters in Boston since 2017.
Their loss leaves an immeasurable void in the skating world.
Spencer Lane & Christine Lane

Spencer Lane, 16, had only been skating for three years, but his father, Doug, said he was “unstoppable.” Inspired by Olympic skater Nathan Chen, Spencer threw himself into training with relentless passion.
His mother, Christine, 49, was his biggest supporter. A graphic designer and newly licensed real estate agent, she was known for her warmth and dedication—not just to Spencer, but to everyone who knew her.
Doug Lane, who had adopted Spencer from South Korea, said his son was a natural athlete. “Once he got interested in something, you couldn’t stop him.”
Jinna Han & Jin Han

Jinna Han, a 13-year-old figure skater from Mansfield, Massachusetts, was a rising star.
She was part of the Skating Club of Boston and known for her incredible dedication and passion. Her coaches even nicknamed her “Jinna Starina” because she was such a bright presence, both on and off the ice. She was traveling home with her mother, Jin, after a week of intense training at a development camp in Kansas. Those who knew Jinna described her as bright, hardworking, and full of potential. She had big dreams.
In a video from 2022, Jinna talked about how excited she was about the Winter Olympics. She said it was thrilling to think about who would win and what might happen, because anything can happen at the Olympics. You can see in the video how much she loved skating and how much she dreamed of competing in the Olympics herself someday.
Brielle & Justyna Beyer

Brielle Beyer, 12, was a fighter in every sense of the word. A childhood cancer survivor, she had overcome unimaginable obstacles to pursue her dream of competitive skating.
Her mother, Justyna, 42, was her rock, always supporting her ambitions. They had spent six days at the camp, preparing for what they thought was just the beginning of Brielle’s journey in the sport.
Her father, Andy Beyer, said she had “lit up the house with her wonderful voice” and that making the national development team had been one of her biggest dreams.
Olivia Ter
At just 12 years old, Olivia Ter was already making a name for herself on the ice.
A member of the Tucker Road Ice Rink in Maryland, she was one of the few skaters from her region selected for the development camp. She was admired for her “talent, determination, and sportsmanship.”
Sean Kay & Angela Yang
Sean Kay and Angela Yang were traveling with their coach, Alexandr Kirsanov, after attending the camp.
Delaware Senator Chris Coons confirmed their deaths, describing them as “rising stars” in the sport.
Alexandr Kirsanov
Coach Alexandr Kirsanov had dedicated his life to figure skating, mentoring young athletes with precision and care.
His wife, Natalya Gudin, who also coaches in Delaware, stayed behind while Kirsanov traveled with his students. “I lost everything,” she said. “I lost my husband, my students, my friends.”
Crew Members & Passengers: Dreams Left Unfulfilled
Beyond the skating community, other passengers and crew on board had dreams, careers, and families waiting for them.
Samuel Lilley, First Officer

At just 28, First Officer Samuel Lilley had already built a promising career as a pilot. He had recently gotten engaged and was looking forward to building a life with his fiancée.
His father, Timothy Lilley, was a former Army Black Hawk pilot who had flown that same route over the Potomac for years.
His sister, Tiffany Gibson, said: “He was excited about life, about his future. He was young. It’s just tragic.”
Jonathan Campos, Captain
Jonathan Campos, a 34-year-old pilot, had dreamed of flying since he was a little kid. His family said he always wanted to “soar like a bird.”
He grew up in Puerto Rico until he was 10, then moved to Florida. He followed his dream and studied aeronautical science at Embry-Riddle, graduating in 2015.
He worked for PSA Airlines, a smaller airline owned by American Airlines, for eight years before becoming a captain for American Airlines itself. Everyone respected his skill and dedication.
His friends and family remember him for his sense of humor, his hard work, and how much he loved flying. His uncle, Hector Campos, called him “a great kid,” showing how deeply he’ll be missed.
Ian Epstein, Flight Attendant

Ian Epstein, 53, was a flight attendant who loved his job and brought joy to everyone he met. After a successful career in sales, he decided to follow his passion for travel and became a flight attendant in February 2020. His ex-wife, Debi Epstein, said he “absolutely loved being a flight attendant,” and that he enjoyed meeting new people and exploring the world.
Ian was known for his humor and warmth, and he had a special way of making passengers feel comfortable and appreciated.
Sadly, Ian wasn’t supposed to be on the flight that ended in tragedy. He had switched shifts to go on a golf trip. His unexpected presence on that flight makes the loss even harder for his family and friends.
To honor Ian’s memory, here’s a video that shows his passion for his work and the happiness he brought to others:
Danasia Elder, Flight Attendant
Danasia Elder, a 34-year-old mom of two (ages 13 and 4), was living her dream. Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, she became a flight attendant – a perfect fit since she loved to travel and connect with people. Her brother-in-law, Brandon Payne, said she was “very bright, very smart,” and that being a flight attendant was a “dream she wanted to do.”
Everyone remembers Danasia’s friendly personality and big smile. One of her classmates from flight attendant training said she absolutely loved her family and lit up whenever she talked about them. She was clearly dedicated to both her family and her job, and she made a real impact on everyone she knew.
Her death is a huge loss for her family, friends, and the entire aviation community.
Wendy Jo Shaffer
Wendy Jo Shaffer’s family described her as “a daughter, a sister, a friend, a wife, and most importantly, a mother.” They are devastated by her loss.
Casey Crafton
A devoted father and Little League coach, Casey Crafton was supposed to be back home in Salem, Connecticut, cheering his kids on from the sidelines.
His town is mourning the loss of someone who gave so much to his community.
Kiah Duggins

Kiah Duggins was a civil rights attorney and a soon-to-be law professor at Howard University.
A Harvard graduate and former White House intern, she had spent her career fighting against police misconduct and unjust bail practices. She was about to step into a classroom to inspire the next generation of changemakers.
“She had so much more to give,” Howard University said in a statement.
Grace Maxwell
Grace Maxwell was an engineering student from Wichita, Kansas, with a heart for helping others.
She had recently signed up to develop a hand-stabilizing device for a disabled child so he could feed himself independently. Her university described her as “thoughtful and dedicated to making a difference.”
Elizabeth Keys

Elizabeth Keys should have been celebrating her 33rd birthday with friends and family. Instead, her partner, David Seidman, is left grieving. “She always, always managed to have fun… no matter what she was doing.”
A birthday dinner, a hug, a simple “happy birthday”—all moments that should have happened but never will.
The Soldiers on Board the Black Hawk
Three Army soldiers lost their lives in the helicopter crash. The Army has yet to release all their names, but we know they were young service members in training.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp identified one of them as Ryan O’Hara, a young service member with a passion for flight.
“Both of these young men shared a passion for serving others,” Kemp said, also honoring pilot Samuel Lilley.
Gone Too Soon, But Never Forgotten
This wasn’t just another plane crash. These were real people—kids with Olympic dreams, parents working hard for their families, professionals dedicated to their communities. They should still be here.
Their names will fade from headlines, but their impact will last forever.
💔 Rest in peace. You are not forgotten.