Ice Skater Whose Parents Died in Plane Crash Shares They Changed Their Flight Last Minute
Maxim Naumov shared a heartbreaking detail about his parents’ deaths.
The figure skater, whose parents Evgenia “Zhenya” Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were among the 67 people killed when an American Airlines plane collided with an Army helicopter in January, revealed that the two were initially scheduled to board a different plane.
“My mom let me know that they’re switching flights and that if I could pick them up,” Maxim told host Craig Melvin on a March 27 episode of Today. “My mom always texts me and calls me as soon as they land.”
However, just a few hours later, their plane crashed into the Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, killing everyone aboard both aircrafts, 28 of which were members of the figure skating community.
“They were beautiful people, they were so incredibly kind,” Maxim continued, sharing how he’s been coping with his grief. “The only way out is through. There’s no other way. There are no options but to keep going. I don’t have the strength or the passion or the drive, or the dedication of one person anymore. It’s three people.”
Earlier this month, the 23-year-old paid tribute to his late parents through an emotional ice-skating routine to “Ave Maria” during the Legacy on Ice event hosted in honor of the lives lost and to help raise money for the families, victims and first responders affected by the tragedy.
But before he began his performance, as seen in a video shared to social media, he took a moment to dedicate this performance to his parents by carrying two white roses with him onto the ice and placing them among others on a candlelit table.
“I skated truly, like, from my heart, like, genuinely. I wasn’t thinking about the steps, I wasn’t thinking about the jumps or the spins or anything like that,” he explained of the emotional moment. “I just let my body go, and I’ve never felt that before.”
Once he completed the beautiful routine, Maxim broke down in sobs while the crowd commended him with resounding applause and a standing ovation.
Thinking back to that moment, Maxim told Craig that he “just had such an overwhelming emotion of love in that moment.”
And in response to the overwhelming support he’s received both on and off the ice, he took to social media to express his immense appreciation.
“I am truly at a loss for words to express the depth of my gratitude and love for each and every one of you,” Maxim wrote on Instagram two days after the event, alongside a photo of him kneeling on the ice. “Every embrace, message, call, and prayer has touched me in ways I can’t fully describe, and I am beyond grateful for your kindness and support.”
“Your love has filled my heart so profoundly that it brings tears to my eyes,” he continued. “The generosity and compassion you have shown have given me the strength to keep moving forward, one day at a time.”
Keep reading to learn more about the American Airlines plane crash.
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What Happened to the Passengers on American Airlines Flight 5342?
On the evening of Jan. 29, American Airlines flight 5342 traveling from Witchita, Kan., to Washington, D.C. collided with a United States Army Black Hawk helicopter near the Reagan Washington National Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed on X, formerly known as Twitter. The plane carrying 60 passengers and four crew members and the helicopter, which had three people aboard, crashed into the Potomac River.
The passenger jet, a Canadian-made Bombardier CRJ-700 series twin-engine jet, was operated by American Airlines’ subsidiary airline, PSA Airlines.
What was first a rescue mission became a recovery operation, with all 67 passengers in both aircraft being confirmed dead.
“Our hearts are with the victims’ families as they navigate this tragic loss,” Washington, D.C., officials shared in a statement Feb. 4. “We extend our deepest condolences and remain committed to supporting them through this difficult time.”
The National Transportation Safety Board, which is leading the investigation, is still putting the pieces together but said in an update that data from air traffic control showed the helicopter appeared to be higher than the 200-foot ceiling allowed for its route.
“This data showed the Black Hawk was at 300 feet on the air traffic control display at the time of the collision. the NTSB said in a Feb. 4 investigation update. “This data is rounded to the nearest 100 feet.”
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Who Was Onboard American Airlines Flight 5342?
Among the 60 passengers were 28 American figure skaters, coaches and family members who were at a camp in Wichita, Kan., according to U.S. Figure Skating.
“These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships,” the governing body shared in a statement obtained by NBC News. “We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts.”
World champion Russian figure skating duo Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who wed in 1995, were also onboard, the sport’s governing body confirmed.
Hamaad Raza, whose wife was also on the American Airlines flight, was waiting for her at the international airport.
“I’m just praying that somebody’s pulling her out of the river right now as we speak,” he told CBS affiliate WUSA9. “That’s all I can pray for. I’m just praying to God.”
Soon-to-be Howard University School of Law professor Kiah Duggins was also a passenger on the flight. The university shared that the civil rights attorney, who earned her J.D. from Havard Law School, was set to join Howard’s faculty this fall.
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Who Was Onboard the U.S. Army Helicopter Involved in the Collision?
The helicopter was from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion out of Davison Army Airfield in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Public Affairs Deputy Director for Joint Task Force-National Capital Region/Military District of Washington Ron McLendon II confirmed to NBC News.
The official shared that the aircraft was in the middle of a training mission at the time of the collision.
The passengers onboard were identified as Capt. Rebecca Lobach, 28, Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Eaves, 39, and Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28.
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What Happens Next After Recover Efforts for American Airlines Flight 5342?
The FAA, U.S. Army and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the collision, with the latter taking the lead. The Pentagon has also initiated its own investigation.
While there are still more questions than answers, former NTSB and FAA investigator Jeff Guzzetti told Today that the air traffic control communications that night are “going to be scrutinized by the NTSB, that controller will be interviewed and the radar data will be looked at by the NTSB.”
As of Feb. 4, NTSB investigators are continuing to transcribe the cockpit voice recorders for both aircraft, they confirmed in an update. The NTSB, in collaboration with the Naval Sea Systems Command Supervisor of Salvage and Diving , are continuing to recover the wreckage from the Potomac River.
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Who Has Spoken Out After American Airlines Flight 5342 Crashed Into the Potomac River?
President Donald J. Trump shared his condolences about the tragedy.
“I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport,” the White House statement said. “May God Bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.”
Ilia Malinin, the men’s figure skater who won his third consecutive U.S. figure skating title in Witchita Jan. 26, confirmed he was not onboard the flight. He wrote on his Instagram Stories, “I hope and pray for everyone who was on that flight is OK.”
Wichita Mayor Lily Wu also expressed her grief, saying at a press conference that their “hearts are heavy as a city.”
“We mourn with all those who have been impacted,” she said. “This is a terrible tragedy that will unite those in Washington, D.C., and Wichita, Kansas, forever.”
Two-time Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan shared an emotional message to reporters about the crash that claimed the lives of six skaters from Skating Club of Boston, where the athlete also formerly trained.
“I just wanted to be here and be part of our community,” Kerrigan said through tears. “When you find out you know some of the people on the plane, it’s an even bigger blow.”
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