I want to take a moment to remember the lives of those who were lost. Children, mothers,
fathers, daughters, sons, aunts, uncles, cousins, everyone in this accident was so dear, loved, and appreciated by all. January 29th, an American Eagle flight No. 5342, collided with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter at around 9 pm. The accident was devastating, and all 67 bodies have been discovered, leaving no survivors. In remembrance, I have gathered each athlete and figure skating victim of Flight 5342 to share what we know now about them. Use this information to express love and affection, as if you shared a deep, personal connection with them.
fathers, daughters, sons, aunts, uncles, cousins, everyone in this accident was so dear, loved, and appreciated by all. January 29th, an American Eagle flight No. 5342, collided with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter at around 9 pm. The accident was devastating, and all 67 bodies have been discovered, leaving no survivors. In remembrance, I have gathered each athlete and figure skating victim of Flight 5342 to share what we know now about them. Use this information to express love and affection, as if you shared a deep, personal connection with them.
Franco and Luciano Apricio
Franco was one of the figure skaters. At 13 years old, he was a gracious and “kind-hearted
figure skater who pursued excellence in everything he did,” as stated in the Ashburn Ice
House.Luciano Apricot, his dad, was flying alongside Franco. They leave behind a mourning mother and wife, Barbara, and two daughters, Isabella and Antonella. The club ultimately described Luciano as the embodiment of a true skating dad, appreciating his love and dedication. Together, the tone they radiated was nothing but kind and inspiring.
Both of their achievements throughout their lives, which were tragically cut short, will be remembered forever. They truly made an impact on the skating world.
Brielle and Justyna Beyer
Brielle was an extremely talented figure skater at only 12 years old. Herself as well as her brother were on board this flight, leaving Justyna’s sister to mourn her loss tragically. The
Her daughter and mother lived in Virginia, but they went to the camp in Wichita so that Brielle could improve her skills.
Her sister speaks on NBC about her mother and sister.
“We’re heartbroken,” Witkowska says, “We’re just in shock.”
Her daughter and mother lived in Virginia, but they went to the camp in Wichita so that Brielle could improve her skills.
Her sister speaks on NBC about her mother and sister.
“We’re heartbroken,” Witkowska says, “We’re just in shock.”
Jinna and Jin Han
Jinna was a 13-year-old prodigy figure skater and a member of the Skating Club of Boston.
During the 2022 Beijing Olympics, ten-year-old Nina spoke about her excitement for figure skating and pursuing her Olympic dreams. She stated that she could probably go to the Olympics in 2032. Jin Han was the mother of Jinna, a loving and tight community that describes themselves as family, spending time together six to seven days a week. She was one of Jinna’s biggest supporters, and together they would rest easily, and their essence would live.
Cory, Stephanie, and Roger Heynos
Cory Haynos, a 16-year-old figure skating athlete, was on board the aircraft with his father, Roger, and his mother, Stephanie. They were heading back from a skating competition. Cory was extremely happy throughout his life, constantly ecstatic with his excellence in figure skating. Stephanie and Cory were both incredible parents who created a loving home for their two children. Roger had even retired early to support Cory in his figure skating career. His family was so proud of him and his endless talent.
Cory Haynos, a 16-year-old figure skating athlete, was on board the aircraft with his father, Roger, and his mother, Stephanie. They were heading back from a skating competition. Cory was extremely happy throughout his life, constantly ecstatic with his excellence in figure skating. Stephanie and Cory were both incredible parents who created a loving home for their two children. Roger had even retired early to support Cory in his figure skating career. His family was so proud of him and his endless talent.
Sean and Julia Kay
Sean was a figure skating athlete at 11 years old and a UD Figure Skating Club member. He trained at the university’s high-performance training center, winning many multi-class skating championships and competitions. Julia Kay was Sean’s mother, and also a victim of Flight 5342, her husband confirming that she died in tin crash with their son.
“The plane was supposed to land at 9, and I called my wife, and he didn’t pick up. I thought
maybe it was on airplane mode and she forgot to switch it off,” The heartbroken husband states. These two will rest in peace and further inspire many figure skating families.
maybe it was on airplane mode and she forgot to switch it off,” The heartbroken husband states. These two will rest in peace and further inspire many figure skating families.
Alexandr “Sasha” Kirsanov
Alexandr, “Sasha” Kirsanov was a figure skating coach for the University of Delaware, losing his life on the flight. Natalya Gudin and her husband, Alexandr Kirsanov, who coached two young figure skaters aboard the airline’s flight, had a choice before the plane took off: who would go and who would stay? The couple divided, and Kirsanov would fly to Wishita to accompany their skaters to the National Development Camp for figure skating. Gudin says she lost everything that night, “I lost everything. I lost my husband. I lost my students. I lost my friends.”
Spencer and Christine Lane
Spencer Lane was 16, a figure skater, and a member of the Skating Club of Boston in Norwood, Massachusetts. Spencer was an extremely loved and talented boy; he had grown popular on social media because of his talents. He had posted one last picture showing his trip to Wichita, hours before the plane crashed. Lane was one of the sex members in this club who died in the crash. Spencer was traveling with his mother, Christine Lane, who had accompanied her son on the trip back from the National Development Camp in Wichita, Kansas. Both of the loving family members had left behind Spencer’s father, Doug, and his younger brother, Milo.
Alydia Donna, Peter, and Everly Livingston
Everly Livingston, 14, and her sister Alydia Livingston, 11, traveled with their parents, Donna and Peter Ligingston. The family was traveling home to Virginia from Wichita, Kansas, after Everly and Alydia had attended an ice skating camp for young Olympic Hopefuls. A family friend described the two girls as the brightest people at their rink, the community looking up to them. Their father, Peter, and their mother, Donna, had truly immersed themselves in the skating lifestyle for their daughters. They were so indulged in the skating lifestyle that Peter had even built an outdoor skating rink in their backyard. They were all amazing human beings, and their light-hearted memories will live on.
Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova
Vadim Naumov was also a figure skating coach, a former world champion of the Skating Club ofBoston. The 55-year-old won the figure skating event at the 1994 World Figure Skating Championships with another coach, Shishkova. The two have a son, Maxim Naumov, who also trains in Norwood, though he returned home on an earlier plane. They were married in 1998 and emigrated to the US, where they enjoyed their successful careers as professional figure skaters. Their professions and talent will live on in their students.
Olivia Ter and Olesya Taylor
Ter, a twelve-year-old girl from Prince George’s County, Maryland, was one of the four elite youth skaters from the D.C. region to attend the U.S. Figure Skating training camp in Wichita, Kansas. Olivia’s life had an immense impact on the youth sports community. As for her mother, Olesya, who had also been traveling with her, she was flying home from the National Camp. They will both be remembered as cheerful and joyous human beings. Their love will travel far.
Inna Volyanskaya
Inna Volyanskaya, an ice skating coach in Ashburn, Virginia, was also on the plane.
Volyanskaya competed internationally and performed in ice theater. She coached children at Ashburn Ice House, and her inspiring words and teaching skills live on in her students. She coached Everly and Franco, as well as countless other members of the Washington Figure Skating Club.
Inna Volyanskaya, an ice skating coach in Ashburn, Virginia, was also on the plane.
Volyanskaya competed internationally and performed in ice theater. She coached children at Ashburn Ice House, and her inspiring words and teaching skills live on in her students. She coached Everly and Franco, as well as countless other members of the Washington Figure Skating Club.
Angela Yang And Zhehend (Lily) Li
Angela Yang was very good friends with Sean Kay; their lives were cut too short at only 11 years old. The pair was unstoppable, winning big in the National Development Camp in Wichita. Angela was a wonderful skater and went undefeated this past season with her partner, Sean Kay, in both Juvenile Combined Solo Dance and Juvenile Combined Dance. She had placed silver at the 2024 National Solo Dance Finals and gold at the 2025 US Ice Dance Finals with Sean. She and her mother, Zhehend (Lily) Li, were from Delaware, described as very kind and joyous souls. Together, they leave a sister and a father to mourn their loving souls.
Eddie Zhou, Kaiyan Mao, and Yu Zhou
Eddie was 16 at the time and an extremely talented figure skater. They were
traveling from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and a subsequent training camp. He was featured as one of the top members in the sport. Eddie’s parents, Kaiyan and Yu, invested everything into their precious son; they called him Fugui, which means riches and honor in Chinese. He was placed in the top schools and the highest piano, martial arts, and dance classes. But none of it compares to figure skating, Eddie’s passion. That day, Eddie had argued that he was old enough to leave one parent, one stay home, and the other go. But they both wanted to be there for him. That’s how this family is remembered, inseparable even now, beyond our world. Though this collision lost some of the most talented figure skaters in the world, the others on this plane should be remembered to the same extent. They were also daughters, sons, mothers, fathers, etc. I will list their names now.
Sarah Lee Best
Jonathan D. Boyd
Danasia Brown
Jonathan Campos
Tommy Clagett
Chris Collins
Casey Crafton
Kiah Duggins
Andrew Eaves
Ian Epstein
Lindsey Fields
Alexander Huffman
Asra Hussian
Steve Johnson
Elizabeth Anne Keys
Sam Liley
Rebecca Lobach
Pergentino N. Malabed
Grace Maxwell
Charles McDaniel
Dustin Miller
Melissa Nicandri
Ryan O’hara
Vikesh Patel
Jesse Pitcher
Robert Prewitt
Bob Schrock
Lori Schrock
Wendy Shaffer
Mikey Stovall
Alexander Huffman
Asra Hussian
Steve Johnson
Elizabeth Anne Keys
Sam Liley
Rebecca Lobach
Pergentino N. Malabed
Grace Maxwell
Charles McDaniel
Dustin Miller
Melissa Nicandri
Ryan O’hara
Vikesh Patel
Jesse Pitcher
Robert Prewitt
Bob Schrock
Lori Schrock
Wendy Shaffer
Mikey Stovall
Our hearts go out to their families as we mourn these individuals.
Rest easy.
