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American Airlines Crash: Man Shares Heartbreaking Final Text From Wife
U.S. figure skater Spencer Lane’s family is mourning a tragic loss.
The 16-year-old skater from Rhode Island and his mother Christine Lane, 49, were among the 60 passengers aboard American Airlines Flight 5342 when it tragically crashed into the Potomac River after colliding with an army helicopter Jan. 29.
The two, hoping to get the aspiring Olympian one step closer to competing in the Games, were on their way back from a National Development Camp in Wichita, Kansas.
“I am so happy to have qualified for national development camp earlier in November,” Spencer wrote in an Instagram post moments before takeoff, “it has been my goal almost ever since I became aware that it was a thing. I learned so much new information that I can apply to my everyday life, and met so many amazing people!”
But less than 24 hours after they were involved in the horrific collision near Ronal Reagan Washington National Airport, President Donald Trump confirmed that there are no survivors from the devastating plane crash.
Their family, along with the families of other American figure skaters, Russian figure skaters including former World champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov and community members of both Kansas and Washington D.C. were left to carry on the memories of their fallen loved ones.
“We’re still in a state of shock down here,” Spencer’s grandfather Wayne Conrad told People Jan. 31. “They were greatly appreciated when we had them with us and there were lovely people, creative forces in their own way, Christine in photography and graphic arts and Spencer and creative endeavors as in figure skating competitively.”
Conrad went on to explain that both of Spencer’s parents, including his father Doug Lane, “supported him a hundred percent in this endeavor.” And Doug shared a few heartbreaking words about their family’s “devastating” loss.
Spencer Lane / Instagram
"Spencer can only be described as a force of nature,” Doug, who is also dad to Spencer’s younger brother Milo, said in a statement. “You simply could not stop him if he decided he wanted to do something. There is no better example of this than his remarkable skating journey, which we are heartbroken to see end too soon. He truly loved it, and his ascent from basic Learn to Skate classes to U.S. Figure Skating’s National Development Team in just a few short years was unprecedented.”
But while he mourned the loss of his passionate and talented son, he found comfort in the fact that Spencer had the opportunity to courageously pursue his dreams until the end.
"We are so grateful that his last week was filled with joy and surrounded by his beloved Skating Club of Boston and the U.S. Figure Skating family,” he continued. “We are also hurting so much from the loss of Spencer’s talented and kind coaches, Genia and Vadim, and all of the wonderful friends Christine and Spencer were sharing their journey with.”
Keep reading for everything to know about the American Airlines collision.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
What Happened to the Passengers on American Airlines Flight 5342?
On the evening of Jan. 29, American Airlines flight 5342 traveling from Witchita, Kan., to Washington, D.C. collided with a United States Army Black Hawk helicopter near the Reagan Washington National Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed on X, formerly known as Twitter. The plane carrying 60 passengers and four crew members and the helicopter, which had three people aboard, crashed into the Potomac River.
The passenger jet, a Canadian-made Bombardier CRJ-700 series twin-engine jet, was operated by American Airlines' subsidiary airline, PSA Airlines.
What was first a rescue mission has become a recovery operation, with 28 bodies being recovered from the river as of publishing time, District of Columbia fire chief John Donnelly confirmed.
"At this point, we do not believe there were any survivors," the official said at a Jan. 30 press conference. "We will work to find all the bodies and reunite them with their loved ones."
As officials put the pieces together surrounding the horrific incident, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy shared that the helicopter was in a "standard flight pattern" during the collision and was aware of the plane in the vicinity.
"Last night, the helicopter was in a standard pattern," he explained at the press conference. "If you live in the D.C. area, you'll see helicopters up and down the river, this flight pattern is seen oftentimes when you live in D.C."
Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images
Who Was Onboard American Airlines Flight 5342?
Among the 60 passengers were 14 American figure skaters, coaches and family members who were at a camp in Wichita, Kan., according to U.S. Figure Skating.
"These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships," the governing body shared in a statement obtained by NBC News. "We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims' families closely in our hearts."
World champion Russian figure skating duo Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who wed in 1995, were also onboard, Russian state media confirmed.
"Bad news from Washington today," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters, per NBC News. "We grieve and console with the families and friends who lost those of our fellow citizens who died in this plane crash."
Hamaad Raza, whose wife was also on the American Airlines flight, was waiting for her at the international airport.
"I'm just praying that somebody's pulling her out of the river right now as we speak," he told CBS affiliate WUSA9. "That's all I can pray for. I'm just praying to God."
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Who Was Onboard the U.S. Army Helicopter Involved in the Collision?
The helicopter was from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion out of Davison Army Airfield in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Public Affairs Deputy Director for Joint Task Force-National Capital Region/Military District of Washington Ron McLendon II confirmed to NBC News.
The official shared that the aircraft was in the middle of a training mission at the time of the collision.
Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images
What Happens Next After Recover Efforts for American Airlines Flight 5342?
The FAA, U.S. Army and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the collision, with the latter taking the lead.
While there are still more questions than answers, former NTSB and FAA investigator Jeff Guzzetti told Today that the air traffic control communications that night are "going to be scrutinized by the NTSB, that controller will be interviewed and the radar data will be looked at by the NTSB."
Investigators recovered two black boxes—which record the information from the flight and its route—that belonged to the airplane Jan. 30, the NTSB told NBC News.
Robert Alexander/Getty Images
Who Has Spoken Out After American Airlines Flight 5342 Crashed Into the Potomac River?
President Donald J. Trump shared his condolences about the tragedy.
"I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport," the White House statement said. "May God Bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise."
Ilia Malinin, the men's figure skater who won his third consecutive U.S. figure skating title in Witchita Jan. 26, confirmed he was not onboard the flight. He wrote on his Instagram Stories, "I hope and pray for everyone who was on that flight is OK."
Wichita Mayor Lily Wu also expressed her grief, saying at a press conference that their "hearts are heavy as a city."
"We mourn with all those who have been impacted," she said. "This is a terrible tragedy that will unite those in Washington, D.C., and Wichita, Kansas, forever."
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