A tragic plane crash near Washington, D.C., has claimed the lives of a 13-year-old Korean-American figure skating prodigy, Jinna Han, and her mother, Jin Han. The small passenger plane, which was carrying former and current figure skaters returning from a competition, collided with a military helicopter during its landing approach on the evening of January 29, 2025. There were no survivors from either aircraft.

Jinna Han, a rising star in the figure skating world, was among the passengers. She was a member of the Skating Club of Boston and had just participated in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas, as part of a national development camp. Her mother, Jin Han, was also on board, along with fellow skater Spencer Lane, his mother Christine Lane, and coaches Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.

The flight, which originated in Wichita, was carrying approximately 20 figure skaters and coaches, accounting for about one-third of the 64 passengers and crew on board. Among the victims were renowned Russian figure skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who won the World Figure Skating Championships in 1994. Their son, Maxim Naumov, who had competed in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, was also believed to be on the plane.

The figure skating community has been left in shock by the tragedy. The U.S. Figure Skating Association expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims, stating, “We are devastated by this unimaginable tragedy.”

In a twist of fate, figure skater John Marabia revealed that he had initially planned to board the ill-fated flight but was denied boarding due to size restrictions for his dog. He traveled by car instead, narrowly avoiding the disaster.

The crash occurred near Reagan National Airport when the passenger plane collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. Both aircraft plummeted into the Potomac River, leaving no survivors. The incident has left the figure skating world and the broader public mourning the loss of young talent and respected figures in the sport.

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