Russian World Figure Skating Champions Killed in Washington Air Crash

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On the evening of 29 January, a collision occurred in the skies over Washington between a Canadair Regional Jet 700 (CRJ700), operated by PSA Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines, and a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk military helicopter.

The incident took place as the passenger aircraft was on approach to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Preliminary reports indicate that there were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the CRJ700, while the helicopter carried three military personnel.

According to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the aircraft was operating as Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, and was approaching the runway at Reagan Airport when the collision occurred. CNN reported that the helicopter was on a training mission at the time.

As a result of the incident, both aircraft were destroyed and crashed into the Potomac River. A search and rescue operation involving approximately 300 emergency personnel has been launched at the scene to locate survivors and debris. At the time of publication, the deaths of all passengers and crew members on both aircraft have been confirmed. The wreckage of the plane is in the water, while the helicopter has been found nearby. Reagan Airport remained closed until 11:00 AM Eastern Time on 30 January.

Among the passengers on the plane were figure skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who had been living and working as coaches in the United States since 1998. Shishkova and Naumov were World Champions in 1994, as well as multiple medalists at European Championships and Grand Prix Finals. Their coach, Ludmila Velikova, expressed hope for the survival of her former students despite the tragic circumstances, according to TASS.

Experts have begun analysing radar data and recordings of communications between air traffic controllers and the crews of both the plane and the helicopter. Preliminary reports suggest that there may have been errors in air traffic coordination in the airport zone, but the exact causes will only be determined after the investigation is completed.

The Canadair Regional Jet 700 (N709PS) was manufactured by Canadian company Bombardier in 2004. The aircraft, designed to carry between 68 and 78 passengers, is equipped with rear-mounted engines. The UH-60 Black Hawk is a multi-purpose military helicopter widely used by the U.S. Army for various missions, including transport and combat operations.

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