Young US Ice Dancers Won 1st Place Before Tragic Washington, DC Plane Crash

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

At just eleven years old, Angela Yang and Sean Kay were making waves in the world of competitive ice dancing. At the 2025 Midwestern Sectional U.S. Ice Dance Final, they glided their way to first place in the Juvenile Dance PD 1 category, capturing the hearts of the audience and judges alike with their skill and promise for the future. Unfortunately, their bright journey was tragically cut short.

A routine flight tragically turned into a nightmare when an American Airlines jet collided mid-air with a U.S. Army helicopter over the Potomac River. This harrowing incident claimed the lives of all 67 passengers and crew members aboard the plane.

Search and rescue teams worked tirelessly to recover those lost, including young skaters and their devoted families who had traveled to participate in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita. Sadly, the skating community was hit hard by the loss of talent and loved ones in this untimely tragedy.

Among those lost was Delaware-based skating coach Alexandr “Sasha” Kirsanov, and his young students Angela Yang and Sean Kay. His wife, Natalia Gudin, expressed her profound grief from Washington, D.C., where she was staying temporarily at the time of the crash.

“We always use American Airlines when we go to competition,” Gudin lamented. “This time, they were without me, and all of them are gone.” Through her tears, she remembered the hopes and potential Angela and Sean had shown to the world.

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

Angela and Sean were more than just partners on the ice; they were a dynamic duo destined to shape the future of American ice dancing. Angela, with her boundless energy and dedication, began her skating journey solo. Her dream was to find someone who could match her rhythm and joy for the sport.

Her mother, Lily, made sacrifices to support her daughter’s dreams, moving from Maryland to Delaware for better training opportunities. Lily’s dedication knew no bounds, homeschooling Angela to allow her to focus on her intense training schedule. Meanwhile, Angela’s father remained in China, working tirelessly to support his family.

In Sean’s case, skating ran in the family. As the second of four siblings, he took up the sport to follow his older sister. Yet, Sean quickly surpassed his peers, showing a natural talent for the ice that would see him excel in solo competitions across the nation. His mother, Julia, balanced the demands of night shifts as a nurse while homeschooling all her children, ensuring Sean had everything he needed to flourish.

Angela and Sean’s stunning debut at the 2025 Midwestern Sectional Final was undoubtedly the beginning of what promised to be an illustrious career, one filled with accolades and unforgettable performances. Regrettably, this bright future was taken from them too soon.

Their return flight from a developmental skating camp in Wichita turned into their final journey. American Airlines Flight 5342 held not only these young skaters but also their supportive mothers, Lily and Julia, who never left their sides in pursuit of their dreams.

A Devastating Blow to the Figure Skating Community

The crash reverberated beyond Angela and Sean’s immediate circle, casting a long shadow over the broader figure skating community. Spanning more than a shared passion for the ice, this community is tightly-knit, with bonds built on shared experiences and mutual respect.

Heartbreakingly, the accident claimed more promising talents, including 16-year-old Spencer Lane and a talented skater from Mansfield, 13-year-old Jinna Han. Coaches, family members, and young skaters were tragically among the victims as well.

The loss profoundly impacted the community, prompting an outpouring of grief and support on social media. Tributes flooded in from all corners of the globe, reflecting on the lives lost and the immense talent the skating world had been robbed of.

Not only did the tragedy affect the American skating community, but it also reached the international scene with the untimely deaths of respected Russian coaches Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who left indelible marks on the sport. Coached by Rafael Arutyunyan, Naumov and Shishkova’s expertise and guidance will be sorely missed.

The investigation led by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) hopes to shed light on the circumstances leading to this calamitous event, potentially providing some closure to grieving families and communities left aching in the wake of such enormous loss.

In the days following the tragedy, families and friends used social media to honor the victims through heartfelt messages and tributes. Expressions of sorrow and shared mourning underscored the collective grief felt far and wide.

The 2025 plane crash near Washington stands as a testament to loss and mourning in the American skating community and beyond. While investigations continue to uncover the disaster’s cause, the memories of Angela, Sean, and other victims will remain indelible in the hearts of loved ones and skating enthusiasts. Their vibrant spirits and contributions to the sport will not soon be forgotten.