by Payton Bell

The night Flight 5342 departed out of Wichita, Kansas, was just supposed to be a normal trip, but later turned into a heartbreaking turn of events. Flight 5342, carrying a team of young, promising ice skaters, coaches and parents, met with a tragic accident that left a lasting impact on the U.S. figure skating community. The crash not only claimed the lives of talented individuals but left families and friends in deep sorrow. The following day after the tragedy, there were numerous memorials held across the country: Boston, Massachusetts, Ashburn, Virginia, Shawnee, Kansas, Newark, Delaware and many more. The figure skating community came together to support one another through this difficult time. The airline has now announced retiring flight number 5342 after the major aircraft accident, honoring the memory of those lost.

There have been four devastating plane crashes in the United States since 2025. The tragic timeline began on January 29 when an aircraft collision killed all 64 people on board. Just two days later, on January 31, a Philadelphia medical jet crash took the lives of seven people. On February 6, Bering Air Flight 445 went missing for 10 minutes before it was confirmed that the 10 people onboard had died. Finally, on February 10 a plane collision on the runway in Arizona resulted in one death and four injuries as a plane collided with a parked aircraft. In just 12 days, a total of 85 people lost their lives in these deadly plane crashes across the United States. This series of tragic events has led many to question the safety of flying and the fear of traveling by air. Many factors can contribute to a plane crash, including pilot error, mechanical failure, weather conditions, air traffic control issues and maintenance issues. However, answers for these particular crashes remain unknown, leaving many in the dark, searching for explanations and solutions.

The airline faced a tragedy when the plane was trying to land in Washington, D.C as they came from a competition in Wichita, Kansas. All the victims of the two aircrafts were found dead later that week. The news broadcasts it only as the night of January 29, when an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines flight, killing 64 people. The news does not express how the ice skating community mourns the loss of each ice skater on board who dreamed of a gold medal and standing ovations; in a second, that dream was unfortunately taken away. Families grasp on the memories of their loved ones or children that they have lost in a tragic accident. The ice skating community is destroyed as they hear throughout the week of coaches and former figure skaters’ bodies found in the Potomac River in the unexpected plane collision.

Jennifer Homendy, chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board, said, “Neither pilot made a comment discussing an altitude discrepancy at this time, we do not know why there was a discrepancy between the two. That is something that the investigative team is analyzing.” The NTSB moves forward with the investigation and seeks individuals who witnessed the crash to find a better perspective of what might have happened that night. Homendy expresses the crash was an “all hands-on deck event.” While President Donald Trump stated on a social media platform that the collision “should

have been prevented,” Trump then added: “The helicopter obviously was in the wrong place at the wrong time and a tragedy occurred.” If all of this is being said, why is there not a solution? An investigation needs to be carried out for the families who have been impacted to receive justice in the aftermath of the Washington, D.C. plane crash.

The National expresses in a Federal Aviation Administration report, “There have been recent concerns that only one air traffic controller was responsible for coordinating helicopter traffic and arriving and departing planes when the collision happened.” Due to the significant shortage of air traffic controllers, the controllers have to manage a higher volume of aircraft than ideal. This leads to safety concerns, miscommunication, air delays and an increased risk of accidents. If the FAA is aware of these significant factors, why is this not a top priority? Continuing this path of overwhelming workload, the U.S. will likely see more aircraft crashes in 2025, as we have already had another crash in Georgia on February 16, killing two people.

I personally knew a coach on Flight 5342. His name was Alexandr “Sasha” Kirsanov, as he coached me for many years. He coached many young skaters at the University of Delaware and other ice skating rinks. Coach Sasha was more than just a coach, he was a mentor to everyone. His loss was not just a headline for every news company to broadcast; it was personal and a privilege to know him and be coached by him for years. His legacy in the ice skating community will live on, as each one of his skaters will continue to achieve and skate for him.

I was heartbroken when I heard the news of his passing on the phone. It felt like the ground was pulled from under me as my knees collapsed. He touched so many people in the U.S. figure skating world, taught all his skaters many life lessons and pushed them to continue their dreams. Kirsanov’s passion on the ice touched many lives as he made a permanent mark at all the rinks he entered. Many families and friends all felt this feeling as they heard the tragic news when they watched the news or read articles online the next morning of the crash. Families left in an airport trying to grasp the last memory they had, as they replay back their child’s last performance on the ice. Parents

That split second at 8:48 PM on January 29 will always be remembered as a notable devastation, not just for the U.S. figure skating community but for all who travel by air. The people on board will always hold a special place in our hearts. It is important to honor their memory and the lives of their loved ones who have been affected by this unexpected tragedy.