A heartbreaking incident unfolded near Washington, D.C.'s Reagan National Airport on Wednesday evening when an American Airlines flight collided with a U.S. Army helicopter. Among the passengers on the ill-fated flight was figure skater Spencer Lane, whose final social media post indicated he was aboard the plane preparing for departure from Wichita, Kansas.
Lane's Instagram story showed a picture from the runway at Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport with the caption "ICT (to) DCA," referencing the airport codes for Wichita and Reagan National Airport. Subsequent posts showed him warming up with fellow skater Kohaku Murai and a collage with other team members. Tragically, no further updates followed.
The CEO of the Skating Club of Boston, Doug Zeghibe, later confirmed Lane's presence on the flight and expressed the profound loss felt by the skating community. He stated that several members of the club, including athletes, coaches, and parents, were on board, returning from the U.S. Figure Skating’s National Development Camp held after the U.S. Championships in Wichita. Zeghibe described the devastating impact on the tight-knit skating community, where members are like family.
U.S. Figure Skating also released a statement confirming that several members of their community were on the flight and expressed their devastation. The organization pledged to continue monitoring the situation and provide updates as available.
Officials expressed little hope for survivors in the aftermath of the collision. This tragic event highlights the inherent risks of air travel and the profound impact such incidents have on the lives and communities of those involved.
