Victims of D.C. Midair Collision: Personal Stories Emerge of Those Lost

American Eagle Flight 5342 and a Black Hawk helicopter collided over the Potomac River, resulting in the tragic deaths of 60 passengers, four crew members, and three soldiers.

Minutes before landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., a devastating collision occurred between American Eagle Flight 5342 and a Black Hawk helicopter. As the plane neared its destination, it collided midair with the Army helicopter over the Potomac River, sealing the fates of all onboard.

The accident, captured in a shocking video, left no survivors. Fire Chief John Donnelly of Washington, D.C., spoke somberly about the recovery efforts, stating, "At this point, I don’t believe we are going to find any survivors."

Among the victims aboard Flight 5342 were passengers returning from the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas. The Chinese Embassy confirmed the presence of two Chinese nationals on the flight, though their identities were not released.

The crew included First Officer Sam Lilley, whose stepmother confirmed his death to NBC News, along with flight attendants Danasia Brown and Ian Epstein. Brown, who had planned this flight to be her final shift before changing careers, was remembered by her cousin as a kind and caring person. Epstein was remembered by his sister as a devoted family man who loved being a flight attendant.

As the sun rose on Thursday, the search turned to recovery, and the personal stories of the victims began to surface. Among the passengers were young figure skaters Spencer Lane and Jinna Han, both 16, who were traveling with their mothers after the competition. Lane’s skating rink memorialized him as a passionate young athlete.

Also among the victims were 12-year-old Brielle Beyer and her mother, Justyna Magdalena Beyer, both from Virginia. Brielle, an avid figure skater, had traveled to Wichita for training. Her aunt described her as someone who had dedicated her life to the sport.

Several notable figure skaters were lost as well. Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, former world champions and Olympic competitors, were aboard the plane with their son, Maxim Naumov, who had competed in Wichita. Their skating coach, Zeghibe, expressed the immense loss to the sport, saying, "When you lose coaches like this, you lose the future of the sport."

Among other mourned victims were Inna Volyanskaya, a former professional skater and Disney on Ice performer, and Natalya Gudin, who tragically lost her husband, Alexandr Kirsanov, and her students.

The tragedy also claimed the lives of five union members from Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Local 602, who were traveling together. Additionally, Mikey Stovall, a Maryland steamfitter, was remembered by his mother as a devoted family man, leaving behind his wife and son.

The crash shattered families beyond the skating world. Kiah Duggins, a beloved law professor at Howard University, was among those killed, leaving behind grieving parents. Wendy Jo Shaffer, a mother of two, was described by her husband as "an amazing woman." Elizabeth Keys, an attorney who would have turned 33 the day of the crash, was remembered by her mother as "filled with light and joy."

Asra Hussain, who had been texting her husband throughout the flight, was also a victim, leaving behind a husband who fondly recalled their relationship and shared memories.

In the wake of this tragic accident, families, friends, and colleagues continue to mourn those lost, while also remembering the lasting impact these individuals had on their communities and loved ones.