Shibutanis Share Heartfelt Support for Skating Community After Devastating Plane Crash

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Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani are feeling the love. 

Five months following a fatal collision between an American Airlines flight carrying 28 figure skaters, coaches, and family members en route to Washington, D.C., and a U.S. Army helicopter, the Olympic ice dancing partners shared how the skating community has extended comfort and solidarity to each other in the aftermath of this tragic incident.

For Alex, providing support for his sports peers who were impacted by the tragic plane crash – which claimed lives of everyone on board from both planes – has felt instinctive, given the existing close-knit nature and camaraderie within the sports community.

Speaking to TopMob News during Team USA’s Nonna Experience on May 22, the individual, aged 34, noted that there exists a unifying thread tying together generations and athletes, not just within the United States but globally. This shared fabric offers support in good times as well as challenging situations, serving as something we all rely upon when needed.

And that backbone was built by a mutual admiration that exists among all of the athletes.

Alex added, ‘We value and appreciate the effort put into our favorite sports, which makes it truly unique when we can express this admiration by sharing our passion with others.’

Speaking as a devoted admirer, I find myself echoing the sentiments of my cherished brother. At the ripe age of 30, I can wholeheartedly declare that I am honored and privileged to be an integral part of the captivating world of figure skating.

Maia shared with TopMob that she began ice-skating at the age of four. As she advanced in skating and interacted with various age groups of fellow skaters, it transformed into an even bigger extended family for her.

The US sibling team is carrying a familial approach into their coaching partnership, preparing for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Occasionally, minor disagreements might occur in this process.

As Alex noted, “We do have different opinions on things. We do argue.”

Ultimately, their disagreements help them strengthen their performances on the ice. 

Alex stated, “Top-notch teams argue, yet they ultimately resolve their conflicts, communicate effectively, and progress together.” He added, “Our team shares a unique connection similar to many families, but we’re fortunate enough to experience this camaraderie on the ice.

Indeed, Alex and Maia aren’t the only figures from the skating community who have expressed their sympathy in response to the American Airlines tragedy. In fact, back in February, more than 30 skaters took to the ice at the Legacy on Ice event, where they performed tributes in memory of those who perished in the collision.

Maxim Naumov, whose parents perished in the crash, and American figure skating champion Johnny Weir were among those paying tribute to the victims.

Johnny said that as an athlete, you learn to keep your cool and persevere through any hardships affecting your community, especially since theirs is a tight-knit group where everyone is connected, even if not personally acquainted. He explained this to People magazine during the aftermath of the crash.

For more on the American Airlines collision, keep reading.

In the evening of January 29th, American Airlines flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas to Washington D.C., tragically collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, not far from the Reagan National Airport. This collision was later verified by the Federal Aviation Administration on their social media platform, previously known as Twitter. The ill-fated plane held 60 passengers and four crew members, while the helicopter carried three people. Regrettably, both the aircraft and the helicopter plunged into the Potomac River.

A Canadian-manufactured Bombardier CRJ-700, a twin-engine jet, was flown by American Airlines’ affiliated carrier, PSA Airlines.

Initially, it was a rescue operation, but as the situation unfolded, it transformed into a recovery operation, tragically confirming that all 67 passengers aboard both planes had perished.

As a deeply moved admirer, I can’t help but share my heartfelt sympathies with the families who are bravely dealing with this devastating grief. In these trying times, I offer my sincerest condolences and pledge my unwavering support to them, standing by their side as they journey through this heart-wrenching ordeal.

As a committed devotee reporting on this matter, I’ve learned that the National Transportation Safety Board, spearheading the investigation, is meticulously piecing together information. In their latest update, they indicated that data from air traffic control suggests the helicopter seemed to be flying above the 200-foot ceiling prescribed for its flight path.

According to the NTSB’s February 4th update, the data indicates that the Black Hawk was approximately 300 feet high on the air traffic control screen at the moment of the collision, with the height being approximated to the nearest hundred feet.

Out of the sixty travelers, there were twenty-eight individuals associated with American figure skating – skaters, coaches, and their families. These people were attending a training camp situated in Wichita, Kansas, as per the information provided by U.S. Figure Skating.

The athletes, coaches, and their families were on their way home following the National Development Camp, which took place alongside the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, as stated by the organization. We are deeply saddened by this unimaginable tragedy and keep the families of the victims in our thoughts and prayers.

The world champion Russian figure skating pair Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who tied the knot in 1995, were indeed part of the group, as confirmed by the sports administration.

Waiting at the international airport was Hamaad Raza, who happened to be married to a passenger on an American Airlines flight.

He shared with WUSA9, “I’m hoping someone is rescuing her from the river at this moment. That’s all I can hope for. I’m simply sending my hopes and prayers up to heaven.

Kiah Duggins, soon-to-be professor at Howard University School of Law, was also a traveler on the plane. The university announced that the civil rights lawyer, who obtained her J.D. from Harvard Law School, is scheduled to start teaching at Howard this autumn.

According to Ron McLendon II, the spokesperson for Joint Task Force-National Capital Region/Military District of Washington, it was confirmed by him that the helicopter belonged to Bravo Company, situated at Davison Army Airfield in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, which is part of the 12th Aviation Battalion. This information was shared with NBC News.

The official disclosed that the plane was engaged in a training exercise when it collided.

The individuals aboard were recognized as Captain Rebecca Lobach (age 28), Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Eaves (age 39), and Staff Sergeant Ryan Austin O’Hara (also 28).

Investigations into the crash are being conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration, the U.S. Army, and the National Transportation Safety Board, with the NTSB serving as the primary agency. Additionally, the Pentagon has started its own independent inquiry.

In their conversation with Today, Jeff Guzzetti, a seasoned investigator who has worked for both the NTSB and the FAA, indicated that the air traffic control communications from that night will undergo thorough examination by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). This includes interviews with the controller involved and a detailed analysis of the radar data by the NTSB.

As of February 4th, NTSB investigators are still transcribing the cockpit voice recordings for both planes, as confirmed in their latest update. In partnership with the Naval Sea Systems Command Supervisor of Salvage and Diving, they are also continuing to retrieve the debris from the Potomac River.

President Donald J. Trump shared his condolences about the tragedy.

According to a White House announcement, I’ve received all necessary information about the tragic incident that occurred at Reagan National Airport. My sympathies are with those affected; may their spirits rest in peace. Kudos to our emergency responders for their remarkable work. I’m staying updated on the situation and will share further details as they become available.

Ilia Malinin, the three-time consecutive U.S. men’s figure skating champion, stated that he did not travel on the flight in question. He expressed his concern for the wellbeing of those on the flight via Instagram Stories, saying, “I sincerely hope and wish everyone aboard the flight is safe.

Wichita Mayor Lily Wu similarly conveyed her sorrow, stating at a news briefing, “Our hearts are filled with weight as a community.

1. She expressed her condolences to everyone affected, stating that this unfortunate event has brought an indelible bond between the people of Washington, D.C., and Wichita, Kansas.

2. She sympathized with all those affected, acknowledging that this devastating incident will create a lasting connection between the residents of Washington, D.C., and Wichita, Kansas.

3. She conveyed her sorrow to everyone involved, recognizing that this catastrophe has forged an eternal tie between the citizens of Washington, D.C., and Wichita, Kansas.

4. She empathized with those affected, understanding that this disaster has created a permanent bond between the people in Washington, D.C., and Wichita, Kansas.

5. She shared her grief with everyone impacted, realizing that this disaster has established an unbreakable link among the residents of Washington, D.C., and Wichita, Kansas.

6. She felt for all those affected, knowing that this disaster has created a profound connection between the people in Washington, D.C., and Wichita, Kansas.

7. She conveyed her sympathies to everyone touched, acknowledging that this tragedy has left an indelible mark on the relationship between the communities of Washington, D.C., and Wichita, Kansas.

2-times Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan shared a heartfelt statement with media outlets following the tragic accident that took the lives of six ice skaters, who were once her fellow trainees at the Skating Club of Boston.

Kerrigan expressed, with tears in his eyes, that he was eager to join and contribute to our group. He mentioned that discovering some of the plane passengers were acquaintances made the news even more devastating for him.

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2025-05-23 23:58