Scott Hamilton is mourning the loss of several members of the figure skating community, who died in the deadliest air disaster in the United States in two decades.
Among the 64 people on American Airlines Flight 5342—which collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter while approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and crashed into the Potomac River Jan. 29—included close to a dozen figure skaters, their families and coaches, who were flying home from the U.S. Figure Skating's National Development camp in Wichita, Kansas.
President Donald Trump has since confirmed there were no survivors among all 67 aboard both aircraft.
"I can't wrap my head around the last 36 hours," Hamilton, who won gold at the 1984 Winter Olympics, said tearfully on Today Jan. 31. "It's just been devastating and the loss is just beyond description. My heart is shattered."
The 66-year-old Olympic skater, who also runs a skating academy, had met a few of the members who perished in the crash at their national championships in Wichita last week.
"I got to see so many of these skaters and coaches and it's like a reunion every time we go," he said. "And for this to happen just days after those championships were over is just devastating, shocking—it just doesn't make any sense."
Hamilton also shared the figure skating community has come together amid the disaster: "It's a very tight-knit, very close-knit, very wonderful, caring, supportive community. We're no stranger to tragedy. This was just beyond devastation."
Among those killed in the collision—the first U.S. commercial plane crash since 2009 and its deadliest air disaster since 2001—were skaters Brielle Beyer, 12, Spencer Lane and Jinna Han, both 16, their mothers Justyna Magdalena Beyer, Christine Lane and Jin Han.
Before the plane took off, Spencer had shared a photo of one of the aircraft's wings, writing, wrote "ICT->DCA" on his Instagram Story, indicating the Wichita and D.C. airport codes.
Also among the victims were Russian skating coaches and married couple Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, NBC News reported.
The pair, who are also Olympians, are parents of skater Maxim Naumov, 24, who had competed in Wichita and had taken an earlier flight home, the outlet reported.
"They were just wonderful, kind," Hamilton said. “Shishkova and Naumov were amazing national skaters that wanted to build their professional lives in America. Their son Max, I mean, he's an extraordinary talent. I actually sat with him for a nice visit in Wichita."
Read on for more information about the deadly collision...
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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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.”