A beloved Disney on Ice performer and a mother of two were among the victims of a deadly plane crash near Washington, DC, on Wednesday night. An American Airlines jet carrying 64 passengers collided mid-air with a U.S. Army helicopter over the icy Potomac River.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the collision occurred around 9 p.m. local time when American Airlines Flight 5342, which had departed from Wichita, Kansas, struck a military Black Hawk helicopter while approaching Ronald Reagan National Airport.
Officials confirmed that the helicopter, a Sikorsky H-60, had taken off from Fort Belvoir, Virginia, for a training flight. Tragically, all those aboard both aircraft lost their lives.
It is believed the Black Hawk accidentally entered the jet’s flight path. So far, at least 30 bodies have been recovered from the freezing river. Among the victims were multiple U.S. and Russian figure skaters, four flight crew members, and former Soviet figure skater Inna Volyanskaya, 59, who was well known for her performances in Disney on Ice, as reported by Express US.
Volyanskaya portrayed beloved characters such as Princess Aurora, Cinderella, Belle, and Ariel in Disney on Ice. Her ex-husband, Ross Lansel, spoke of her legacy, saying, “She was one of the best skaters I’ve ever seen, honestly. She was one of the best pair girls to skate.”
He also emphasized the deep impact of her loss on the young skaters she coached in Virginia, adding, “Just knowing the impact she made on all the skaters and everyone just hurts my soul. I wish all those kids she taught—just my condolences and all my prayers go out to them.”
U.S. Figure Skating confirmed that several skaters, coaches, and family members were on board the flight, returning from the National Development Camp, which coincided with the national championships.
