A tragic midair collision near Washington, D.C., has shaken the U.S. Figure Skating community. American Airlines Flight 5342 crashed into a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River on January 29. All 60 passengers on board lost their lives, including several members of the figure skating world.
Among the victims were three young athletes—Spencer Lane, Olivia Ter, and Jinna Han—who were returning home after attending a National Development Camp.
The young athletes shared their excitement about the journey on social media moments before the plane crashed. Let’s have a closer look at what they have shared and remember their life and legacy.
Overview of the Tragedy
The crash occurred near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport around 9 p.m. local time. Flight 5342 had taken off from Wichita, Kansas when it collided with the military aircraft. Authorities confirmed that there were no survivors. U.S. Figure Skating later acknowledged that multiple members of their community were on board.
“We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available.”
The organization expressed its sorrow in a statement.
Athletes, coaches, and fans have since poured out tributes, remembering those who lost their lives.
16-Year-Old Spencer Lane
Spencer Lane, a 16-year-old from the Skating Club of Boston, had been making waves in the figure skating world. He only started skating in January 2022 but progressed rapidly, earning first place in the 2025 Intermediate Eastern Sectionals. He also claimed victories in the intermediate category of the 2024 NQS Providence Open and the 2024 NQS Philadelphia Summer Championship.
Despite entering the sport later than most competitive skaters, Lane’s hard work and passion led him to qualify for the prestigious National Development Camp.
Final Social Media Post Before the Crash
Before takeoff, Lane shared a photo on his Instagram Story showing the plane on the runway at Wichita Airport. He captioned it:
“ICT -> DCA,” referring to the flight path from Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
In a previous Instagram post, he had shared his excitement about making it to the National Development Camp, writing:
“I am so happy to have qualified for the National Development Camp earlier in November, 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!”
Lane had gained a strong social media following, with over 18,500 TikTok fans watching his skating journey. His rapid progress inspired many young skaters. He often thanked his coaches and teammates for pushing him to improve, writing:
“Thank you so much @team.genia.vadim, @annehgoldbergbaldwin, and @skatingclubbos for supporting me in achieving my goal, and always pushing me to be the best I can be.”
12-Year-Old Olivia Ter
Olivia Ter, a 12-year-old from Maryland, trained at the Tucker Road Ice Rink in Prince George’s County. She had dreams of representing Team USA in international competitions and was known for her dedication, sportsmanship, and passion for the sport.
She was one of 14 members of the U.S. Figure Skating community traveling back from the National Development Camp when the crash occurred.
Prince George’s Parks and Recreation honored Olivia’s memory, stating:
“Olivia not only excelled in figure skating programs but inspired others through her talent, determination, and sportsmanship. Her passion for the sport and positive influence on her peers and coaches will not be forgotten.”
Bill Tyler, director of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, also shared his thoughts:
“The impact of Olivia’s life will continue to resonate in our youth sports community, and she will be sorely missed.”
Reaction from Friends and Coaches
The skating community was devastated by the loss. Ting Cui, a Baltimore figure skater who had competed in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships but didn’t attend the camp, shared her heartbreak:
“These were young, promising skaters invited to the camp. It’s a huge loss to have so many of us on that flight.”
Bridget Carrig-Brickhouse, a coach with the Baltimore Figure Skating Club, emphasized how tightly connected the skating world is:
“Almost everyone up and down the East Coast, we all know each other. If we don’t know each other personally, we know someone that does.”
13-Year-Old Jinna Han and Her Mother
Jinna Han, a 13-year-old from Massachusetts, has been a member of the Skating Club of Boston since 2020. She was known for her discipline, talent, and love for figure skating. She dreamed of competing in national championships and was admired by her peers.
Jinna was traveling with her mother, Jin Han, who was also well-known in the skating community. They were among the club members aboard the plane.
Doug Zeghibe, CEO and executive director of the Skating Club of Boston, remembered Jinna and her mother:
“Jinna was just a wonderful kid. Great athlete, great competitor. Loved by all.”
He also spoke about Jin Han’s presence in the skating world:
“She was always appreciative, always supportive—not just of Jinna, but of every athlete. Just role model parents in your sport, and you don’t always get that.”
Jinna had once shared her enthusiasm for figure skating in a 2022 interview with NBC Boston, where she talked about watching the Winter Olympics:
“It’s just so exciting. It’s like, who’s going to win, what’s going to happen, because anything can happen at the Olympics.”
Jinna’s peers and coaches are mourning the loss of a bright young skater whose love for the sport was evident in everything she did.
Conclusion
The tragic plane crash took away the lives of three young, talented figure skaters—Spencer Lane, Olivia Ter, and Jinna Han—each of whom had a bright future ahead. Though their journeys were cut short, their contributions to the skating world will not be forgotten.
As the figure skating world grieves, tributes and messages of support continue to pour in. The loss of these athletes has brought the community even closer, reminding everyone of the deep bonds formed within the sport.
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