Young US Ice Dancers Won 1st Place Before Tragic Washington, DC Plane Crash – See Their Video

A routine flight turned into a nightmare when an American Airlines jet collided with a U.S. Army helicopter over the Potomac River on Wednesday night. All 67 people aboard the plane were killed, leaving no survivors.

By Thursday, search teams, including divers, had begun recovering bodies from the icy waters. Among those lost were figure skaters from the United States and Russia who had attended the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita.

Alexandr “Sasha” Kirsanov, a Delawared-based coach perished alongside his students, Angela Yang and Sean Kay. The coach’s wife, Natalia Gudin, confirmed their deaths. Speaking from Washington, D.C., where she was staying temporarily, Gudin shared that her husband’s body had yet to be recovered.

“We always use American Airlines when we go to competition,” Gudin said. “This time they go without me, and all of them are gone.” Through tears, Gudin recalled learning of the crash and the devastating loss of the promising young skaters.

“This young team, Sean Kay and Angela Yang, they were so amazing,” Gudin said. “All the judges were so proud and they had such a big future. And what, all on the same plane?” “For me, it’s a triple” loss, she added.

A Dream Cut Short: The Skating Journey of Angela Yang and Sean Kay

Angela and Sean were a duo destined for greatness. At just 11 years old, they had already left a mark on the world of figure skating. They won the first place in the Juvenile Dance PD 1 category at the 2025 Midwestern Sectional U.S. Ice Dance Final.

Their dedication, talent, and passion for the sport made them a promising pair in competitive ice dancing. Angela’s love for skating began as a solo dancer, but she always dreamed of having a partner. She wanted someone who could match her energy.

That dream led her mother, Lily, to make a bold decision. She packed up their life in Maryland and moved to Delaware, where Angela could train under some of the best coaches in the country. To support her daughter’s ambitions, Lily homeschooled Angela, ensuring that she could dedicate as much time as possible to perfecting her craft.

Angela’s father remained in China, working tirelessly to support his family from afar while his wife single-handedly raised three children.

For Sean, skating was a family affair. The second oldest of four siblings, he first laced up his skates because of his older sister. But it didn’t take long before he was outpacing not just her, but also his peers.

By the time he reached the juvenile level, Sean was dominating solo dance competitions across the country. His talent was undeniable, and his ambitions stretched beyond juvenile and intermediate levels. He had plans to advance to junior solo dance while continuing to compete with Angela in intermediate next season.

Sean’s mother, Julia, a dedicated night nurse, homeschooled all four of her children while juggling long shifts at the hospital. She was his biggest supporter, making sure he had the time, training, and encouragement to chase his dreams.

Angela and Sean’s victory at the 2025 Midwestern Sectional Final was only the beginning. That future, filled with possibility, was tragically stolen from them.

They were aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, traveling home after attending a developmental skating camp in Wichita. Also on the flight were their devoted mothers, Lily and Julia, who had always been by their side. Angela is survived by her father and two siblings, while Sean leaves behind his father and three siblings.

A Devastating Blow to the Figure Skating Community

The tragedy extended far beyond Angela and Sean. The figure skating world is now mourning the loss of multiple athletes, coaches, and family members who were onboard American Airlines Flight 5342 when it collided with a military helicopter near Washington, D.C. on Wednesday night.

Among the victims was 16-year-old skater, Spencer Lane along with his mother and two Russian coaches from the Skating Club of Boston.

Jinna Han, just 13 years old, was also among those lost. A rising talent from Mansfield, she was traveling with her mother, Jin, and fellow skaters from Boston when the crash claimed their lives.

The devastating accident has cast a shadow over the sport, sending shockwaves through the U.S. Figure Skating community. Golden Skate, a figure skating news site, reported that the organization confirmed multiple members of its athlete and coaching network were among the victims.

The loss also extends to two well-respected Russian coaches, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov. These two were deeply involved in the international figure skating scene. Their deaths have left a significant void, with longtime friend and renowned coach Rafael Arutyunyan expressing his grief.

While he had skaters competing in Wichita, he had chosen to remain in California and was spared from the tragedy.

As news of the tragedy spread, grief-stricken families and friends turned to social media to express their sorrow and honor the lives lost. One devastated family member took to Facebook to share a moving tribute to his loved ones.

“My heart is broken tonight at the loss of my cousin Roger Haynos, his wife Stephanie Branton Haynos, and their son Cory. They were killed in the plane crash last night near Washington DC,” he wrote.

Social media also flooded with tributes honoring those lost in the tragic collision. People from all over the world mourned the victims, sharing their heartbreak and disbelief.“So sad. They were so young 💔,” one person wrote in remembrance of Angela and Sean. Another user added, “May their memories be forever a blessing.”

Many expressed sorrow over the loss of such talented skaters. “My Gd, they were so incredibly talented. What a devastating loss in every way [sic],” one commenter shared.

Others struggled to put their emotions into words. “OMG, how heartbreaking. I’m devastated,” one wrote. Another sympathized, “Wow… that is just incredibly sad. Sending love to all their families 💔 heartbreaking.”

The tragedy has shaken the figure skating community and beyond. As recovery operations continue, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the cause of the crash. It hopes to provide answers to the families and the skating community that has been left heartbroken.