2 former World Champions among 14 skaters killed in tragic plane crash in Washington D.C.
In a plane crash in Washington D.C., two former World Champions were among 14 skaters who tragically lost their lives.
Follow Us
Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova were among skaters who lost their lives in the plane crash in Washington (Image via NPR/X)
In a tragic incident on Wednesday night, more than 60 people died after an American Airlines passenger plane collided mid-air with a military helicopter. Among the victims were 14 skaters including two former World Champions, Russian couple Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova.
The American Airlines Flight 5342 departed from Wichita, Kansas. During the final approach at the Reagan National Airport, the plane got into a fatal crash at around 9 p.m. local time.
The Russian couple won the World Championship together in 1994 and had been living in America since 1998. They were currently working as coaches to young skaters. As per reports, their 23-year-old son, Max also took part in a championship event but flew out safely on Monday.
RIP: Russian world figure skating champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were among the passengers on the doomed American Airlines crash in D.C. pic.twitter.com/QhA5KCAFj2
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) January 30, 2025
The former World Champions had traveled with young skaters as a part of the Skating Club of Boston, a top organization that sent a handful of skaters for the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita.
The skaters took part in the 2025 Prevagen Figure Skating Championships. This event ran from January 20th to 26th and served as the final qualifier for the U.S. World and Junior Championships team. After this, the skaters participated in a three-day National Development Camp.
Reigning World Champion Ilia Malinin left heartbroken following fatal plane crash that killed skaters and coaches
The world of skating received a major shock on Wednesday when reports emerged that several skaters and coaches had tragically lost their lives in a fatal plane crash in Washington D.C. Reigning World Champion Ilia Malinin was left heartbroken by this incident.
Taking to this Instagram account, the American international expressed his condolences to the families affected by this crash.
I’m heartbroken by the tragic loss of my fellow skaters in this devastating accident. The figure skating community is a family, and this loss is beyond words. My thoughts are with their families, friends and everyone affected. We will never forget them.
Ilia Malinin on Instagram
The 20-year-old did compete in Wichita last weekend. He won his third successive World Championship title on January 26.
According to Figure Skating Online, he had another historic performance and described it as the ‘”second-highest free skate and total score in U.S. Championship history.” At the moment it is unknown when or if he traveled to Washington D.C. area.
This tragic incident has now reminded several people of the fatal crash that took place 64 years ago in 1961. At that time in February, a plane carrying the U.S. national team to the World Figure Skating Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia crashed while it was going from New York City to Brussels in Belgium.
Stay Updated!
Vinay Dave
(1813 Articles Published)