More reports are coming in.
The military Blackhawk helicopter was in the air for only 9 minutes. It was apparently directed directly across the approach path for the inbound runway at the Reagan National Airport, the same runway that the American Airlines commuter jet, was on the approach path to land upon.
The Blackhawk helicopter was on a training flight.
We also now are hearing about some of the people who were on the inbound commercial flight. Members/coaches of the US Skating Team, business people, tourists . . .
Figure skaters among those on flight that collided with Army helicopter
by: Brian Farrell
Posted: Jan 30, 2025 / 05:25 AM CST
Updated: Jan 30, 2025 / 05:51 AM CST
The organization released a statement saying athletes, coaches and family members were on their way home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championship in Kansas when the collision happened.
U.S. Figure Skating said in a statement:
“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 Kremlin has confirmed that Russian figure skaters, as well as other Russian nationals, were also on the plane.
Spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed to reporters Thursday that Russian figure skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who won the pairs title at the 1994 World Championships and competed at the Winter Olympics twice, were passengers.
“Unfortunately, we see that this sad information is being confirmed. There were other fellow citizens there. Bad news today from Washington. We are sorry and send condolences to the families and friends who lost those of our fellow citizens who died in the plane crash,” he said.
. . .
Shishkova and Naumov are listed as professional pairs coaches on the website of the Skating Club of Boston. ...
STORY CONTINUES AT THE LINK ABOVE ^^^
