A tragic plane crash near Washington, D.C., claimed the lives of two young figure skaters, Everly, 14, and Alydia, 11, along with their parents. The family was returning home after the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita when the accident happened.
Authorities confirmed the victims as Peter Livingston, his wife Donna Smojice Livingston, and their two daughters. They were among those on Flight 5342, an American Airlines-operated jet, which collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter.
Alydia and Everly had been active in the figure skating world. Their last social media post showed them together at a recent event on January 24. Their mother frequently shared updates about their skating journey, and the family was well known in the community.
Cassandra Atkins, a family friend from Australia, helped design some of the girls’ skating costumes. She communicated with Donna regularly, though they had never met in person. She recalled Donna’s dedication as a mother and how passionate the girls were about skating.
A week before the accident, Cassandra and Donna had discussed new outfits for the girls. Donna preferred bright colors over the darker tones commonly worn by skaters their age. The sisters loved skating so much that even off the ice, they found ways to stay active, often roller skating.
The Skating Lesson Facebook page expressed grief over their passing. It highlighted Alydia’s determination to improve and Everly’s quiet but focused nature on the ice. Their parents were described as loving and supportive, often traveling between states to help their daughters compete.
The crash, which occurred on January 29, took the lives of 64 people, including several figure skating athletes, coaches, and family members. The team had been on their way home from the championships when the accident happened.
Emergency responders transitioned from rescue efforts to recovery, with no expected survivors. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
U.S. Figure Skating released a statement mourning the loss and offering condolences to the victims’ families. The community continues to grieve as they remember the talented athletes and the impact they had.