Several of the victims who were killed during Wednesday night’s mid-air collision involving an American Airlines flight and a military helicopter were from the Philadelphia region. NBC10’s Shaira Arias and Aaron Baskerville reports.
Members of a Philadelphia-area skating club, two children from Delaware and a former University of Delaware Figure Skating coach are among the victims of Wednesday night's deadly plane crash over Washington D.C. that left 67 people dead.
Delaware victims killed in crash
The president of the University of Delaware, Dennis Assanis, released a statement confirming that former UD Figure Skating coach Sasha Kirsanov was on the plane when it crashed on Wednesday.
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"At this time, we are aware that Sasha Kirsanov, a former UD Figure Skating Club coach, was on the airplane. We believe two young skaters who were members of the UD Figure Skating Club also were on board. It is unknown at this time whether these young skaters — who are not UD students — were accompanied by their parents or other chaperones. Kirsanov and the skaters trained at the University’s High Performance Training Center, which uses UD ice rink facilities and has been the training home for many years of multiple world-class skating champions and competitors. The figure skating community is tight-knit, and many of our students and coaches have trained and competed alongside those who were lost," president Assanis said in a statement.
Athletic Director Chrissi Rawak added that Kirsanov "forged meaningful connections throughout the UD family."
The two young skaters were later identified as Sean Kay and Angela Yang.
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Thursday night, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Delaware) released a statement on the victims.
“I’m devastated to hear the news that at least three Delawareans died during last night’s air collision. Sasha Kirsanov, Sean Kay, and Angela Yang went to Wichita to pursue their passion for figure skating. It is a tragedy that none of them returned home to our state," Coons wrote. "Delaware is a state of neighbors, and tonight we hold all of our neighbors a little closer. My heart goes out to Sasha’s wife Natalia, the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club, and every other Delawarean touched by the three of them.”
The University of Delaware shared that they have support resources for anyone who may need them.
Philly-area victims killed in crash
The Ardmore, Pennsylvania, based Philadelphia Skating Club & Humane Society confirmed to NBC10 on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, that members of their club had died when a military chopper and an American Airlines passenger jet collided over the Potomac River on Jan. 29, 2025, sending the aircraft plummeting into the chilly river.
"We feel immense grief at the loss of so many talented skaters, their coaches, and families," the Philadelphia Skating Club & Humane Society said in a statement that was also posted to social media.
The Main Line skating club didn't immediately name the members of its club who died on the plane that had departed from Wichita, Kansas, with several members of the U.S. figure skating community on board.
"We currently have a member who’s partner was on the plane, and he’s been a long time skater here and we were very proud of the new ice dance team," Philadelphia Skating Club and Human Society skating director Regina Barr told NBC10. "It’s really just kind of shock and grief and just everyone is trying to rally around each other, especially for those who were close to the ones that were lost.”
"Sadly, one of the families lost just became members of our club and another shared his talent with us at our recent 175th Anniversary Gala," the statement said. "We share this loss and grief with the entire USFS Community. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone during this tragic time."
The Philadelphia-area skating club said that further updates on the crash would come from US Figure Skating.
"U.S. Figure Skating can confirm that several members of our skating community were sadly aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a helicopter yesterday evening in Washington, D.C.," the USFS said in a statement posted to its website and social media. "These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas."
Couple from Kansas die while on way to visit daughter at Villanova University
Lori Schrock, 56, and Robert “Bob” Schrock, 58, from Kiowa, Kansas, were passengers on the plane, according to their daughter.
The Schrocks lived in Kiowa, Kansas, about 90 miles southwest of Wichita.
They were traveling from Wichita to Washington en route to see their daughter Ellie, a junior at Villanova University ouitside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Speaking to the Washington Post, Ellie said she was excited about seeing her parents this week and knew their flight number before she saw the tragic news on television.
Other Philadelphia-area skating clubs offer condolences
The deadly crash that occurred as the D.C.-bound plane was on final approach at DCA was felt at other Philadelphia-area skating clubs.
"We are heartbroken to learn that figure skaters, coaches and their families were among those on board American Airlines flight 5342," IceWorks Skating Complex Figure Skating Director Lisa Shaw said. "Figure skating is more than a sport - it’s a close, tight-knit family - and we stand together. While all involved were not club members at our rink, many spent time training at our facility and competing in our events. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families, and we offer our full support during this difficult time."
"On behalf of the Skating Club of Southern New Jersey, we extend our deepest sympathies to the entire figure skating community during this tragic time," SCOSNJ President Robin Hauth said. "Our hearts go out to everyone affected, and we stand in sorrow and solidarity with our friends and colleagues. Figure skating is built on passion, dedication, and an unbreakable spirit. In this moment of grief, we honor that spirit and offer our love and support to those in need. The loss of these lives will be felt by us all and by our community for generations to come."
NBC10 has reached out to other area figure skating clubs and will update this story as further details are learned.
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