The United States continues to mourn the aftermath of the worst aviation disaster in decades. Sixty-seven lives were lost in the tragic D.C. plane crash on Wednesday night, including two young ice skaters, Everly and Alydia Livingston, along with their parents, Donna and Peter.
The Livingston Family’s Loss
The Livingston family, from Pennsylvania, was among the victims aboard American Airlines Flight 5342. According to WTAJ, Donna and Peter, along with their daughters Everly, 14, and Alydia, 11, were returning from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Kansas.
The Ice Skating Sisters
Everly and Alydia were talented members of the Washington Figure Skating Club, training at Ashburn Ice House in Virginia. The girls were beloved in the skating community, known on social media as the “Ice Skating Sisters.” Their final Instagram post, shared five days before the crash, showed them smiling at the rink, ready for Nationals. Everly had shared her dream of joining Team USA and traveling the world, a bright future cut short by the tragedy.
Remembering Their Passion for Skating
Family and friends continue to honor Everly and Alydia. At the Ashburn Ice House, a memorial reflects the deep impact of the loss. U.S. Figure Skating and the Nittany Valley Figure Skating Club have also paid tribute to the young athletes. Family friend Cassandra Atkins, who designed skating outfits for the sisters, described them as always full of energy and joy, even off the ice.
A Devastating Collision
The crash occurred when American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a military Black Hawk helicopter during a training exercise. The plane, descending toward Ronald Reagan National Airport, spiraled into the Potomac River. This marks the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster in nearly 24 years.
A Wider Impact
Many victims were from the figure skating community, including athletes, coaches, and their families. The Skating Club of Boston confirmed the deaths of six individuals, including World Champion pair skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov. Ice rinks across the East Coast are mourning the loss of these beloved figures.
Ongoing Investigation
As investigators work to determine the cause of the crash, communities continue to mourn the loss of Everly, Alydia, and others. Their legacy, filled with passion for skating, will not be forgotten.
