The United States mourns the devastating loss of 67 lives in one of the deadliest aviation disasters in decades. Among the victims were young figure skating sisters Everly and Alydia Livingston, along with their parents, Donna and Peter.
The Livingston family, widely known in the figure skating community, perished when American Airlines Flight 5342 tragically collided with a military aircraft near Ronald Reagan National Airport. The impact of this tragedy has deeply shaken the skating world and beyond.
Final Social Media Post Before Tragedy
According to Daily Mail, the sisters were competitive skaters and members of the Washington Figure Skating Club, training at Virginia’s renowned Ashburn Ice House. Their last social media post, just days before the crash, showed them proudly wearing their ‘athlete’ lanyards, smiling at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.
“If you look closely at Alydia’s badge… We were born ready for this,” read the heartfelt caption. “But is @usfigureskating ready for this much Livingston at Nationals?”
Everly, just 13, had previously shared her aspirations in an interview with FOX 5 DC, stating, “My goals are to actually be a part of Team USA and travel around the world.”
Tributes Pour In from the Skating Community
U.S. Figure Skating confirmed that several members of their community were aboard the ill-fated flight. Memorials have emerged across ice rinks nationwide, as skaters and fans express their grief.
The Ashburn Ice House issued a statement, saying, “The figure skating community is a close-knit, worldwide family, and our hearts are broken.”
The Nittany Valley Figure Skating Club also shared their condolences: “Many of us have lost personal friends. We will hold a moment of silence at our next Club Ice in honor of those we’ve lost.”
Remembering a Passionate Family
Family friend Cassandra Atkins, an Australian designer specializing in skating attire, had created custom outfits for Everly and Alydia through her business, Frozen Couture. Though they never met in person, Cassandra and Donna often exchanged messages and videos showcasing the girls’ performances.
“Donna was the perfect mom,” Cassandra told WFLA. “The girls were her world. They loved bright, standout outfits and always brought so much joy to the ice.”
One of the Deadliest U.S. Plane Crashes in 24 Years
The flight, originating from Kansas, tragically collided with a military Black Hawk helicopter during a training exercise. The plane spiraled into the Potomac River, making this the most catastrophic U.S. air disaster in nearly a quarter-century.
Many passengers were from the figure skating world, including coaches and athletes. The Skating Club of Boston confirmed six losses, including 1994 World Champion pair skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.
As investigations into the accident continue, communities across the nation grieve the loss of Everly, Alydia, and the many others whose dreams and lives were cut short.
