On the night of January 29, 2025, as the moon cast its pale glow over the Potomac River, 67 people boarded two aircraft, an American Eagle passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, never to return. Their collision, just moments from Reagan National Airport, claimed every life onboard.
In every tragedy, there are names. In every loss, a world of promise, of connections, of love. Though not all have been publicly identified, what we do know about many of these 67 is a tapestry of rich lives — coaches, athletes, students, public servants, whose absence echoes beyond the river’s surface.
At the heart of this heartbreak was the figure skating community. Two former world champions and coaches, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, whose 1994 pairs world title remains a testament to their grace, perished in the crash. Shishkova’s partner and husband, Naumov, was not only her teammate but her life partner; together, they inspired generations of young skaters.
Alongside them were other beloved coaches: Inna Volyanskaya, a devoted mentor at the Ashburn Ice House, remembered by her students as “tiny, fierce, full of heart.” And Alexandr “Sasha” Kirsanov, a former elite ice dancer turned coach, whose choreography and warmth shaped the paths of young athletes.
Young skaters with bright futures also flew that night. Sean Kay, just 11, and his dance partner Angela Yang, under Kirsanov’s guidance, were returning from a national camp, two young souls whose joy on the ice touched many. There was Spencer Lane, 16, from Rhode Island, whose father called his spirit “a force of nature.” His mother, Christine Lane, a quilter, a friend, showed how deeply a caring heart could knit a community. Jinna Han, 13, and her mother Jin Han, traveled together, their bond both tender and strong. Everly Livingston, 14, and her sister Alydia Livingston, 11, with their parents Donna and Peter Livingston, rounded out a family bound by ice, by love, by ambition.
The list of names continues beyond skating: Cory Haynos, 16, who had mastered a triple axel; Stephanie and Roger Haynos, his parents, pillars in their Virginia community. Asra Hussain Raza, 26, a rising professional, devoted to her family and her work. Alexander “Alex” Huffman, 34, a Maryland native whose laugh was described as “contagious”, among a group of friends on a hunting trip. Jesse Pitcher, Steve Johnson, Charles McDaniel, Jonathan Boyd, Tommy Clagget, and Michael Stovall, a circle of fellowship, of ordinary Americans savoring life’s adventures.
Even the flight crew carried dreams: Captain Jonathan Campos, First Officer Samuel Lilley, and flight attendants Ian Epstein and Danasia Elder all professionals committed to service, connection, to community.
On the helicopter side were three devoted service members: Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach, 28, a pioneer and caring officer; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39; and Staff Sergeant Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28, who maintained his aircraft with steady hands and a steady heart.
These 67 people were not statistics. They were parents and children; teachers and coaches; dreamers and doers. They represented what is best about our country, bravery, service, community, and potential. Their collective legacy goes beyond grief: it is a call to cherish life, to recognize the fragility of safety, and to demand accountability so that no family ever has to wonder whether their loved ones were forgotten.
In the weeks since their passing, communities have come together. Skating clubs have held tribute shows. Families have spoken out, not just in sorrow but with a fierce resolve: to remember their loved ones, and to press for change. The scene near the Potomac is no longer just a site of tragedy, it’s a place that echoes with purpose.
Today, as we close our eyes, we can still hear the echoes of their voices, the laughter of young skaters, the soft comfort of a coach’s advice, the solid commitment of service members. They remind us that each name matters, each life counts, and that the price we paid in that terrible collision was not only in the 67 lives lost, but in the futures they carried in their hearts.
May we honor them not just in words, but in memory, in action, in reform and may we never forget them.
Nikki Mack, Editor In Chief
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