Plane Crash Kills 14 Figure Skaters, 60 Passengers in Washington DC

A tragic plane crash involving American Airlines flight 5342 claimed the lives of numerous young figure skaters returning from the U.S. National Development Camp in Wichita, Kansas. Among the victims was 16-year-old Cory Haynos, who had just landed a difficult triple axel at the camp hours before the accident, and 12-year-old Brielle Beyer, who was a cancer survivor and an accomplished skater. The crash, which occurred when the plane collided with an Army helicopter, also took the lives of other notable skaters including Spencer Lane and Jinna Han, prompting an outpouring of grief from the skating community. Eyewitness accounts describe the heart-wrenching moment families learned of their loved ones' fates, with parents and coaches expressing profound sorrow over the loss of these talented young athletes. Various skating clubs have issued statements mourning the loss and honoring the memories of those who died, emphasizing the impact on both local and national communities. The tragedy has left many families devastated, with tributes pouring in for the promising lives cut short in this horrific accident.