The United States is mourning the devastating loss of two young figure skaters and their family in a tragic aviation accident.
- A total of 67 lives were lost in the D.C. plane crash on Wednesday night.
- Among the victims were sisters Everly and Alydia Livingston and their parents, Donna and Peter Livingston.
According to a report from WTAJ, the Livingston family was aboard American Airlines Flight 5342 when tragedy struck. The young sisters were talented figure skaters and members of the Washington Figure Skating Club, as detailed by the Daily Mail.
A Passion for Ice Skating
- Everly (14) and Alydia (11) trained at Ashburn Ice House, a well-known skating hub in Virginia.
- They were social media sensations, widely recognized as the “Ice Skating Sisters.”
- Just days before the crash, their father captured a cherished photo of them in Kansas, a memory of their unwavering passion.
Their last Instagram post, shared five days before the accident, showed them proudly wearing their ‘athlete’ lanyards at a championship event.
“If you look closely at Alydia’s badge… We were born ready for this. But is @usfigureskating ready for this much Livingston at Nationals?”
In an interview with FOX 5 DC last year, Everly spoke about her aspirations in figure skating:
“My goals are to actually be a part of Team USA and travel around the world.”
🏅 Learn more about the dedication required to become an elite skater in our article on How Young Athletes Train for Success.
Tributes Pour In From the Skating Community
- U.S. Figure Skating confirmed several members of their community were on the doomed flight.
- A growing memorial at Ashburn Ice House stands as a tribute to their impact.
- The Nittany Valley Figure Skating Club honored the victims with a moment of silence.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to all affected,” stated Ashburn Ice House’s management. “The figure skating community is a close-knit, worldwide family, and our hearts are broken.”
Family friend Cassandra Atkins, an Australian designer, made custom skating outfits for the girls through her brand, Frozen Couture. Though she never met them in person, she frequently exchanged photos and videos with their mother, Donna.
A Family Devoted to Skating
- Donna worked at Comcast, while Peter was a real estate agent.
- They spent months traveling between New Jersey, Michigan, and Virginia to support their daughters’ careers.
- According to Atkins, “Donna was the perfect mom. The girls were her world.”
Even off the ice, the sisters were always in motion.
“If they weren’t skating, they were roller skating—or they’d put wheels on their boots. They always found a way to move.”
💙 Looking for ways to support the Livingston family and others affected? Read our guide on How to Help Families Affected by Tragedies.
The Deadliest Air Disaster in 24 Years
The accident occurred when an American Airlines flight collided with a military Black Hawk helicopter during a training exercise.
- The plane, en route from Kansas, was preparing to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport when it spiraled into the Potomac River.
- It was the deadliest U.S. air disaster in nearly 24 years.
- Several victims were figure skaters, including 1994 World Champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.
Skating communities across the U.S. East Coast are now mourning their devastating loss.
🚨 Interested in aviation safety? Check out our article on How Air Travel Has Changed Since Past Disasters.
A Lasting Legacy
As investigators work to determine the cause of the crash, those who knew Everly and Alydia continue to share memories of their vibrant spirits and love for skating.
Their passion and talent will never be forgotten.