Recovery efforts are ongoing in Washington DC following a catastrophic incident where an American Airlines flight from Kansas, carrying 64 people, collided with a military helicopter on a Wednesday night. Among the victims are prominent figure skaters from both the United States and Russia, a young pilot, flight attendants, and a lawyer who was returning home on her birthday.
Victims aboard the flight
Among those confirmed on the flight was Asra Hussain Raza, a 26-year-old from Indiana who had recently relocated to Washington DC after earning her master’s degree in hospital management. Her husband, Hamaad Raza, shared her dedication to her work, stating, “She was returning from a work trip where she was helping to improve a hospital that really needed help… If there was ever someone who took advantage of their 26 years of life, it was her.”
Professor Kiah Duggins, also a victim, was confirmed dead by Howard University. The university highlighted her commitment as a civil rights lawyer, mentioning her efforts against unconstitutional policing and unjust bail practices, stating, “She dedicated her career to fighting against unconstitutional policing and unjust money bail practices in Tennessee, Texas and Washington DC.”
Another passenger, Sarah Lee Best, 33, was remembered fondly by her husband, Daniel Solomon, who described her as “kind and hardworking”. The couple had plans to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary in Hawaii this May.
Additionally, Elizabeth Keys, another attorney on the flight, was described by her partner David Seidman as someone who “always managed to have fun… no matter what she was doing.” Both she and Sarah Lee Best were treasured members of their law firm, Wilkinson Stekloff, which paid tribute to them as “wonderful attorneys, colleagues, and friends.”
Tributes also poured in for Casey Crafton, a beloved father and community member from Salem, Connecticut. Governor Ned Lamont expressed his condolences, stating, “Salem has lost a dedicated father, husband, and community member.” Crafton was involved in local youth sports, exemplifying his commitment to the community.
Michael Stovall, known as Mikey, was traveling home from an annual hunting trip with friends. His mother reflected on his character, saying, “Mikey did not have one enemy. If you see pictures of him… he was the life of the party. He loved everybody.”
Notable figures from the figure skating world
Among the deceased were also notable figure skaters. Spencer Lane, a 16-year-old skater, died alongside his mother, Christine Lane, 49, while returning from a skate camp in Kansas. His father described him as “a force of nature” with a strong commitment to the sport.
Equally tragic was the loss of Jinna Han, 13, who was traveling with her mother, Jin Han. Friends remembered the young skater as enthusiastic and supportive. Doug Zeghibe of the Skating Club of Boston praised Jin as a “wonderful, pleasant, polite” person.
Similarly, 12-year-old Olivia Ter was celebrated for her talent and sportsmanship, prompting statements from local officials about the impact of her life on the youth sports community.
In an even larger loss for the skating community, prominent coaches Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were confirmed dead by the Kremlin. Renowned skating coach Rafael Arutyunyan expressed the profound impact of their loss on the community, noting the silence in their honor during training sessions.
The flight also included crew members such as Jonathan J. Campos, the 34-year-old captain who had aspired to be a pilot since childhood, and Ian Epstein, a beloved flight attendant known for his cheerful demeanor and commitment to his family.
This tragic incident not only claimed the lives of numerous individuals but also left a significant void in the communities and professions they represented.