Washington DC Plane Crash Claims Lives of Figure Skating Community

A tragic plane crash involving American Airlines Flight 5342 occurred on Wednesday night near Washington, D.C., resulting in the deaths of several members of the U.S. Figure Skating community, including 26-year-old Spencer Lane. Lane shared an Instagram story shortly before takeoff, capturing the plane's wing and noting its journey from Wichita, Kansas, to Reagan National Airport. The flight collided with an Army helicopter, leading to a devastating loss felt deeply within the close-knit skating community, as many of the victims were skaters, coaches, and their family members returning from a national development camp. The CEO of the Skating Club of Boston expressed that the loss felt like losing family, as the club members train together nearly every day. In the wake of this tragedy, social media has been flooded with condolences for the victims and their families. As investigations continue, many are mourning not only the loss of life but also the impact on the sport and community at large.