DC plane crash victims: College professor, newly engaged pilot among the 67 people killed

There were no survivors in the crash, officials said.

ByJulia Reinstein and Peter Charalambous ABCNews logo
Saturday, February 1, 2025
Crews in midair crash included second-generation pilot and flight attendant 'full of life'
Seven of the 67 people killed when an American Airlines jet and Army helicopter collided in midair were members of the two flight crews.

Dozens of people are dead after a regional jet collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter Wednesday night over Washington, D.C., officials said, the nation's first major commercial airline crash since 2009.

The aircraft went down in the frigid Potomac River, breaking into multiple pieces. The flight -- which had departed from Wichita, Kansas -- was approaching Reagan National Airport at the time of the collision, officials said.

MORE: 67 dead after midair collision between passenger jet and military helicopter

From left to right: Samuel Lilley, Justyna Beyer and Brielle Beyer, and Ian Epstein. (Photos courtesy Tiffany Gibson/Andrew Beyer, Family of Ian Epstein)
From left to right: Samuel Lilley, Justyna Beyer and Brielle Beyer, and Ian Epstein. (Photos courtesy Tiffany Gibson/Andrew Beyer, Family of Ian Epstein)

There were no survivors in the crash, officials said Thursday.

There were 64 passengers aboard the plane, and three Army soldiers in the helicopter, according to officials. The soldiers, none of whom were senior leaders, were conducting a training mission, a defense official said.

Among those lost in the crash were 14 people who were returning home from a national figure skating development camp in Wichita, according to Doug Zeghibe, the CEO and executive director for the Skating Club of Boston.

VIDEO: Nancy Kerrigan, Boston skating community pay tribute to those lost in DC crash

Fourteen members of the figure skating community were killed in the plane crash, six of them from the Skating Club of Boston.

"Skating is a tight-knit community where parents and kids come together 6 or 7 days a week to train and work together. Everyone is like family," Zeghibe said in a statement.

Here's what we know about the victims so far:

Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova

This photo taken on Feb. 24, 1996 shows Russian figure skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov performing at the Pairs event at the Figure Skating Championship finals in Paris.
This photo taken on Feb. 24, 1996 shows Russian figure skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov performing at the Pairs event at the Figure Skating Championship finals in Paris.
Photo by PIERRE VERDY/AFP via Getty Images

Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, a married couple, were also killed in the crash, according to the Skating Club of Boston.

Naumov and Shishkova, who were figure skating coaches, were world champions in pairs competition in 1994.

They joined the club in 2017, Zeghibe said.

Jinna Han and Jin Han

Jinna Han
Jinna Han
The Skating Club of Boston

Jinna Han, a figure skater, and Jin Han, her mother, were killed in the crash, according to the Skating Club of Boston.

Spencer Lane and Christine Lane

Spencer Lane
Spencer Lane
The Skating Club of Boston

Skater Spencer Lane and his mother, Christine Lane, were among the victims, the Skating Club of Boston said.

Doug Lane, Spencer's father and Christine's husband, told WCVB he and his wife adopted Spencer from South Korea.

Spencer Lane and his mother, Christine Lane
Spencer Lane and his mother, Christine Lane
The Lane Family

Spencer Lane, 16, "just had amazing athletic abilities," and once he got interested in something, you couldn't stop him," his father said.

The teen decided to try skating three years ago after seeing Nathan Chen in the Olympics and "committed himself to it," his dad said.

Christine Lane, 49, who worked as a graphic designer, was "such a beautiful person" who "just connected with everyone," he said. She had just gotten her real estate license, and was also a talented quilter and volunteered at a local animal rescue, he added.

His wife would "do everything for her children, including fly to Wichita, Kansas, for a week," Doug Lane said. "She just gave parenting her all."

Alexandr Kirsanov

Alexandr Kirsanov
Alexandr Kirsanov

The wife of skating coach Alexandr Kirsanov confirmed to ABC News her husband was on the plane.

Natalya Gudin went on to say Kirsanov was with two youth ice skaters on board the flight.

"I lost everything. I lost my husband. I lost my students. I lost my friends," Gudin said.

Gudin, who also coaches students with her husband in Delaware, said she stayed home to be with their other skaters.

"We are husband and wife," Gudin said. "We decided who's going, who's staying home," she said. "We decided he would go to the development camp."

Gudin last spoke with her husband as he boarded the flight on Wednesday, she said.

"I need my husband back," Gudin said as she waited at a hotel for further information from authorities. "I need his body back."

Samuel Lilley

Samuel Lilley
Samuel Lilley
Tiffany Gibson

Samuel Lilley, the first officer on board American Airlines Flight 5342, recently got engaged, his sister, Tiffany Gibson, told ABC News.

"He was an amazing person. He loved people. He loved adventure. He loved traveling. He was excited. He was young. He was so young, and he was excited about life and his future and getting a dog and a house and kids. And it's just, this is just tragic," she said.

Samuel Lilley's former brother-in-law, Greg Gibson, remembered him for his passion for flying and willingness to help others.

Samuel Lilley died on the same flight path his father, Timothy Lilley, flew for years. Timothy Lilley flew Black Hawk helicopters for the Army, transporting passengers over the Potomac River from his base in Virginia.

"We were stationed in Virginia, and [Timothy Lilley] flew that same route back and forth to the Pentagon, over and over and over again until he retired," Tiffany Gibson said.

Ryan O'Hara

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp identified one of the victims as Ryan O'Hara.

Kemp offered his condolences to the family of both O'Hara and Lilley, who he said were both from Georgia.

"Both of these young Georgians shared a passion for flight and for serving others, and this terrible tragedy is that much more difficult knowing their lives were cut so unexpectedly short," he said in an X post. "Marty, the girls, and I ask that all Georgians join us in keeping their loved ones in our thoughts and prayers."

Ian Epstein

This undated image shows Ian Epstein.
This undated image shows Ian Epstein.
Family of Ian Epstein

The family of Ian Epstein, the flight attendant onboard American Airlines Flight 5342, is remembering him as a cherished father, husband, brother and stepfather.

"Ian Epstein was full of life. He loved being a flight attendant because he truly enjoyed traveling and meeting new people. But his true love was his family. He was a father, a stepfather, a husband and a brother! He will be truly missed. The family appreciates the outpouring of love and support weve received, but at this time we would ask for privacy as we process and grieve our loss, his family said in a statement.

Wendy Jo Shaffer

The family of one victim, Wendy Jo Shaffer, confirmed she had been on the plane.

"We are devastated. Words cannot truly express what Wendy Jo meant as a daughter, a sister, a friend, a wife and most importantly, a mother. The family is requesting privacy at this time," the family said in a statement.

Brielle and Justyna Beyer

From left to right: Justyna Beyer, 42, and Brielle Beyeer, 12.
From left to right: Justyna Beyer, 42, and Brielle Beyeer, 12.
Andrew Beyer

Brielle Beyer, 12, and her mother, 42-year-old Justyna, were both killed in the crash, according to Andrew Beyer, Brielle's father and Justyna's husband.

Andrew is left with the couple's 6-year-old son, he said.

Brielle was a member of the Skating Club of Northern Virginia and beat cancer when she was just 4 months old.

"She was just such a fighter in everything she did," Andy Beyer said of his daughter, in an interview with ABC News. "She just lived life to the fullest with everything."

He added, "She was so proud of herself in figure skating for the progress she had made ... Making that team was one of her life goals. And she achieved it. And she was just so, so proud of herself."

He remembered his daughter's passion and beautiful singing voice.

"She just lit up the house with her wonderful voice," he said.

Andy Beyer said his wife and daughter had been away for six days for the figure skating camp.

"I missed them... Figure skating at that level, it's a lifestyle," he said. "It's a full family commitment."

Elizabeth Keys

Elizabeth Keys
Elizabeth Keys
Mary Keys

Elizabeth Keys was a Washington-based attorney who caught an early flight home to go on a date for her birthday with her long-term boyfriend David Seidman, who remembered her for being the person who always "pushed you to be the best version of yourself."

Keys graduated from Tufts University in 2014 after spending four years on the varsity sailing team, her mother, Mary Keys, said in a statement.

Keys graduated from Georgetown University Law Center in 2020 and worked as an attorney for Wilkinson Stekloff.

She and her boyfriend were devoted parents to their Yorkshire terrier, Tucker.

"She loved deeply and was deeply loved. Liz was a warm, generous woman. She was so fun -- and funny!" her mom said in a statement. "Liz had a sharp wit and appreciated it in others. Gatherings were always better when Liz was there; she was filled with light and joy. Liz was a dear friend to so many, offering her best self to them all."

"Elizabeth was strong and fearless -- she embraced life at full speed," her mom said. "Liz was always surrounded by friends on her ski trips out West, where she described skiing as 'flying,' and frequently visited her favorite place, Hawaii, to hike and relax on the beach. Every weekend was full: Liz and David especially loved hosting their friends around their fire pit at their home in DC."

Sean Kay

Sean Kay was traveling with his skating coach Alexandr Kirsanov after attending the U.S. Figure Skating's National Development Camp. His death was confirmed in a statement by Delaware Sen. Chris Coons.

Angela Yang

Angela Yang was traveling with her skating coach Alexandr Kirsanov after attending the U.S. Figure Skating's National Development Camp. Her death was confirmed in a statement by Delaware Sen. Chris Coons.

Casey Crafton

Casey Crafton was a father to three sons and husband from Salem, Connecticut. His death was confirmed in a statement by Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont.

Grace Maxwell

Grace Maxwell
Grace Maxwell
Cedarville University

Grace Maxwell was an engineering student from Wichita, Kansas who was aboard American Airlines 5432, according to a statement from Cedarville University.

University president Thomas White described her as a "thoughtful, quiet student leader" who helped teach other undergraduates about engineering.

She recently signed up to create a hand-stabilizing device to help a disabled child feed himself without assistance from others.

Olivia Ter

Olivia Ter, 12, was a treasured member of the Tucker Road Ice Rink in Fort Washington, Maryland, who inspired her peers and coaches, according to a statement from the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

She was one of four elite skaters from her region to attend the U.S. Figure Skating National Development Camp in Wichita, Kansas, and earned praise for her " talent, determination and sportsmanship."

"The impact of Olivia's life will continue to resonate in our youth sports community, and she will be sorely missed," stated Bill Tyler, director of the commission's Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George's County, Maryland.

Kiah Duggins

Kiah Duggins
Kiah Duggins
Howard University School of Law

Kiah Duggins was a civil rights attorney and an incoming Howard University professor.

Duggins was a Wichita, Kansas, native and attended Wichita State University, received a Fulbright grant, attended law school at Harvard and worked as a civil rights attorney.

In the fall, Duggins was planning to begin teaching as a professor at Howard University School of Law.

"As a civil rights lawyer, she dedicated her career to fighting against unconstitutional policing and unjust money bail practices in Tennessee, Texas and Washington, D.C," a statement from the university said.

Duggins worked to challenge police misconduct, fight cash bail policies, and pursued prison industrial complex abolition, according to her professional biography. She also was a White House intern during the administration of former President Barack Obama.

Lindsey Fields

Lindsey Fields, who was onboard American Airlines flight 5342, is shown in this undated photo.
Lindsey Fields, who was onboard American Airlines flight 5342, is shown in this undated photo.
Butler Community College

Lindsey Fields, the president-elect of the National Association of Biology Teachers, was flying from Wichita to D.C. to "advocate for excellence in life science education," according to the organization.

She was a professor and biology department chair at Butler Community College in Kansas, where she taught anatomy and physiology.

She loved to garden and had a keen interest in wildlife, including restoring native prairie plants, according to her professional biography.

Butler Community College said in a statement, "With broken hearts we send our condolences to her family and friends, and the students, faculty and staff whom we know without a doubt were positively impacted by Lindseys energy and dedication to her craft."

"Lindsey was a colleague, friend, and educator who dedicated her wisdom and talents to changing students lives every day," the statement continued. "We owe her much gratitude for sharing her light with us and we will forever feel this loss."

"This is a tremendous loss," the National Association of Biology Teachers added. "Please keep Lindsey, the other victims, and their families in your hearts."

Donna Smojice Livingston, Peter Livingston, Everly Livingston and Alydia Livingston

Donna Smojice Livingston, her husband Peter Livingston, and their daughters Everly Livingston and Alydia Livingston all died in the crash, according to Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Everly and Alydia were the famed duo behind the "Ice Skating Sisters" Instagram account, and their last photo depicted them near the ice in Wichita.

Jesse Pitcher, 30

Pitcher was one of five members of the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters killed in the crash, the union said. He was a member of UA Local 5.

"May God bless each of our fallen Brothers, and all those who knew and loved them," the union said in a statement Friday.

Charles 'Charlie' McDaniel, 44

McDaniel was one of five members of the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters killed in the crash, the union said. He was a member of UA Local 602.

Jonathan Boyd, 40

Boyd was one of five members of the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters killed in the crash, the union said. He was a member of UA Local 602.

Michael 'Mikey' Stovall, 40

Stovall was one of five members of the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters killed in the crash, the union said. He was a member of UA Local 602.

Alexander 'Alex' Huffman, 34

Huffman was one of five members of the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters killed in the crash, the union said. He was a member of UA Local 602.

Ryan O'Hara

Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O'Hara, 28, of Lilburn, Georgia.
Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O'Hara, 28, of Lilburn, Georgia.
U.S. Army

One of the three soldiers on the helicopter during the training mission was identified as Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O'Hara, 28, of Lilburn, Georgia, the Army said.

O'Hara had been an Army helicopter repairer since July 2014 and he served in Afghanistan in 2017.

"His awards include Army Commendation Medal w/C Device, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal x4, Army Good Conduct Medal x3, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Aviation Badge and Senior Aviation Badge," the Army said.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp offered his condolences to the families of both victims from Georgia: O'Hara and Lilley, who was the first officer on board the American Airlines flight.

"Both of these young Georgians shared a passion for flight and for serving others, and this terrible tragedy is that much more difficult knowing their lives were cut so unexpectedly short," he said in an X post. "Marty, the girls, and I ask that all Georgians join us in keeping their loved ones in our thoughts and prayers."

Andrew Eaves

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, of Great Mills, Maryland.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, of Great Mills, Maryland.
U.S. Army

Another soldier on the helicopter was identified as Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, of Great Mills, Maryland, the Army said.

Eaves served in the Navy from 2007 to 2017 and then transitioned to an Army UH-60 pilot.

"His awards include Army Commendation Medal x3, Navy Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal x3, Navy E Ribbon x2, Navy Good Conduct Medal x3, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon and Army Aviator Badge," the Army said.

Rebecca Lobach

U.S. Army officials identified Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach, 28, as the third soldier who was aboard the Black Hawk helicopter involved in the DC mid-air collision.

Officials said Lobach who was from Durham served as an aviation officer in the regular Army from July 2019 to January 2025 and was assigned to the 12th Aviation Battalion, Ft Belvoir, Virginia.

"Our deepest condolences go out to her family, and all the families who are mourning the loss of their loved ones impacted by this devastating accident. We continue to work with the families of our fallen Soldiers and support the ongoing investigations," a military spokesperson said.

The Army also issued a statement on behalf of Lobach's family:
"We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Rebecca. She was a bright star in all our lives. She was kind, generous, brilliant, funny, ambitious and strong. No one dreamed bigger or worked harder to achieve her goals.

"Rebecca began her career in the United States Army as a distinguished military graduate in ROTC at the University of North Carolina and was in the top 20% of cadets nationwide. She achieved the rank of Captain, having twice served as a Platoon Leader and as a Company Executive Officer in the 12th Aviation Battalion, Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. With more than 450 hours of flight time, she earned certification as a pilot-in-command after extensive testing by the most senior and experienced pilots in her battalion.

"Rebecca was a warrior and would not hesitate to defend her country in battle. But she was as graceful as she was fierce: in addition to her duties as an Army aviator, Rebecca was honored to serve as a White House Military Social Aide, volunteering to support the President and First Lady in hosting countless White House events, including ceremonies awarding the Medal of Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

"Rebecca cared about people, and she extended to individuals the same fearless defense she gave to this nation. She was proud of the difference she made as a certified Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Victim Advocate and hoped to continue her education so she could serve this country as a physician when her time with the Army ended. She once said, "My experiences with SHARP have reinforced my resolve to serve others with compassion, understanding, and the resources necessary for healing.

"Rebecca was many things. She was a daughter, sister, partner, and friend. She was a servant, a caregiver, an advocate. Most of all, she loved and was loved. Her life was short, but she made a difference in the lives of all who knew her. Our hearts break for the other families who have lost loved ones in this national tragedy and we mourn with them.

"We request that you please respect our privacy as we grieve this devastating loss."

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