On January 29, a catastrophic mid-air collision occurred over the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., involving an American Airlines flight and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. The incident resulted in no survivors among the 67 people on board both aircraft. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officials confirmed that all lives were lost, emphasizing the rapid nature of the impact. Investigators are currently focused on recovering debris and understanding the cause of the tragedy. The black box recorders have not yet been retrieved, but this is not unusual at this stage of the investigation. Authorities are committed to a thorough examination to prevent future occurrences.

The tragic event unfolded rapidly, leaving little time for any emergency procedures to be initiated. NTSB member J. Todd Inman highlighted that the swift impact prevented the deployment of safety equipment such as slides or chutes from the American Airlines plane. This sudden disaster has left families and communities in mourning, particularly those connected to figure skating, as several prominent skaters and coaches were among the victims. The District's medical examiner’s office will handle the identification and reunification of remains with loved ones.

Among the passengers were notable figures in the world of figure skating, including former World Champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who dedicated their post-competition years to coaching young talent. Also on board were members of The Skating Club of Boston, including two teenage skaters and their mothers, as well as two coaches. The loss of these individuals has deeply affected the skating community, especially in cities like Wichita, Kansas, where the 2025 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships were recently held.

Municipal leaders, such as Mayor Lily Wu of Wichita, expressed solidarity with the victims' families and emphasized the enduring connection between Washington, D.C., and Wichita due to this tragedy. The mayor noted that this heartbreaking event would unite the two cities forever in memory of those lost. As the investigation continues, authorities remain committed to uncovering the full circumstances surrounding the accident and ensuring that every effort is made to prevent similar incidents in the future.