An American Airlines flight that collided with a US army helicopter, resulting in one of the most devastating airline disasters for decades belonging to two tragedy.
Wednesday night were several members attached to us art skating, and their families were on the plane that collided with the helicopter. At least six had ties to the Skating Club of Boston, located in Norwood, Massachusetts.
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Emergency Responses -Units respond to the scene of the accident of an American Airlines aircraft and Black Hawk -Helicopter on the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia, Thursday, January 30, 2025. (Leigh Green for Pakinomist Digital)
The art skating has felt the effects of an airline tragedy in the past.
Eighteen Members of the US Art Skating were killed in a plane crash in Berg-match, Belgium on its way to Prague for the World Cup in Art Skating. Laurence Owen and Steffi Westerfield were among those killed in the crash. They were considered rising stars in the sport and prepared for an Olympic bid.
There were 73 people aboard the Sabena Flight 548. New York Daily News reported, referring to investigators that it was probably jet’s stabilizers that caused the incident.
“The US Art Skating can confirm that several members of our skating were unfortunately aboard the American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided by a helicopter last night in Washington, DC,” the US art skating said in a statement on Thursday. “These athletes, coaches and family members returned from the national development camp held in connection with the US art skating races in Wichita, Kansas.
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View of the stage with the aircraft accident in Sabena Flight 548, on February 15, 1961, near Brussels after the Boeing 707 plane crashed on its way to Brussels, Belgium, from New York City, who killed 72 people on their way to the world in 1961 championships in Prague , Czechoslovakia. (STF/BELGA/AFP via Getty Images)
“We are destroyed by this indescribable tragedy and keep the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information when it becomes available.”
Wichita Mayor Lily Wu approached the tragedy at a news conference.
“It was really an honor to have future Olympi and those who are at the highest level of competition in art skating, right here in our capital,” she said.
“We were so happy to have the opportunity to host the national championship, and even yesterday I got people to tell me how wonderful the past few days have been with additional individuals who came into our society about I had to see or attend.
The city of Wichita was described as a close -knit community that is also no stranger to tragic aircraft events.
Wichita State University’s football team flying in a Martin 404 crashed in Colorado in 1970, leaving 31 dead. Eight players and co-pilot survived according to Topka Capital Journal.
The reason for the crash was destined to be due to pilot errors.
“Wichita is in the heart of our nation, and today we grieve. I received confirmation this morning that no one survived the crash of American Airlines Flight 5342,” Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Can., Wrote in a post on Thursday at X.
“This is a sad day for Kansas and our nation. My heart breaks for the lives that were lost and their loved ones who now learn that their family or friends were on air.
The chartered Martin 404 wore footballers, coaches and guests at Wichita State University to Utah. (Duane Howell/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
“There will be a lot to learn and do in the coming days in the wake of this tragedy, but today you have to join me to pray for the victims and their families. May God comfort them and keep an eye on all those who grieve.”
