Nearly 70 people died in the fatal crash between an American Airlines regional jet and a Black Hawk Army helicopter Jan. 29.
/ Updated / Source: TODAY
By Gina Vivinetto and Becca Wood
Sixty-seven people died in a fatal midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and an Army helicopter near Washington, D.C., on Jan. 29
Among those who died in the crash, which occurred over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan National Airport, were renowned figure skaters, U.S. soldiers and union workers, along with others.
American Eagle Flight 5342, traveling from Wichita, Kansas, was carrying 64 people. The Black Hawk Army chopper held three people.
Officials said on Feb. 4 that the remains of all of the victims have been found.
Below is what we know so far about those aboard the aircrafts involved in the midair collision.
Lindsey Fields
President-elect of the National Association of Biology Teachers, Lindsey Fields, was among the victims of the fatal crash, the association said in a statement.
Fields has been traveling to “advocate for excellence in life science education,” according to the statement.
“This is a tremendous loss,” the statement read. “Please keep Lindsey, the other victims, and their families in your hearts. We also ask that you respect the privacy of her loved ones at this time.”
Kiah Duggins
Howard University School of Law professor Kiah Duggins has been remembered as “beautiful” after her death in the crash.
Her family confirmed that she was among the victims of the crash, telling NBC News that they are “coming to terms with the grief associated with the loss of our beautiful and accomplished firstborn.”
Kiah Duggins.Courtesy Dr & Mrs Duggins
Minister Annie Montgomery, Duggins’ close family friend, told NBC News that she was a “from the inside out, beautiful spirit, beautiful soul, beautiful person.”
“I just thought to myself, this little girl’s gonna be somebody one day,” Montgomery recalled of first meeting Duggins. NBC News said she later added that Duggins could have been the president of the United States.
Elizabeth Keys
Attorney Elizabeth Keys was also confirmed to be on the flight by her mother, Mary Keys.
She tells NBC News that Elizabeth Keys was “loved deeply and was deeply loved,” and her family is “filled with unbearable sorrow and despair at our loss.”
Elizabeth Keys, who worked as an attorney for Wilkinson Stekloff in Washington, had turned 33 on Wednesday, Jan. 29.
Sarah Best
Sarah Best, who also worked for Wilkinson Stekloff, was also on board.
“Liz and Sarah were cherished members of our firm—wonderful attorneys, colleagues, and friends,” Beth Wilkinson said in a statement on behalf of the firm. “Beyond being an excellent lawyer, Liz brought fearlessness, humor, and sharp wit to work every day no matter the setting or circumstances. Sarah joined us just last fall and quickly energized us all with her boundless curiosity, kindness, and intelligence.”
Sarah Best.The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School shared a statement Jan. 31 from Dean Sophia Z. Lee calling the 2021 graduate a “brilliant, kind, and compassionate soul who touched the lives of so many.”
“Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and loved ones during this tragic time. As we grieve together, we hold close the memory of Sarah and the light she brought into our lives,” Lee said of Best.
First officer Sam Lilley
Though the airline hasn’t yet released the names of the flight’s crew members, the stepmother of First Officer Sam Lilley confirmed to NBC News that he was aboard the plane.
“We will want to tell his story eventually,” Sheri Lilley said. “He was a wonderful person.”
Ian Epstein
Ian Epstein was working as a flight attendant on the plane, his sister, Robbie Epstein Bloom, confirmed to NBC News.
“He loved being a flight attendant because he truly enjoyed traveling and meeting new people,” Bloom said in a statement. “But his true love was his family. He was a father, a stepfather, a husband and a brother! He will be truly missed.”
Danasia Brown
Danasia Brown was also a flight attendant on the plane, her cousin Carolyn Edwards confirmed to NBC News correspondent George Solis.
Edwards told Solis that this was to be her last flight before changing careers within American Airlines.
Capt. Jonathan Campos
Pilot of the American Airlines passenger plane Capt. Jonathan Campos, 34, has been remembered for his love for flying and his sense of humor.
Hector Campos, his uncle, told NBC News his nephew was “a great kid.”
Pilot Jonathan Campos.Courtesy Sonia Carrasquillo
Campos graduated from Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida.
“Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Captain Jonathan Campos (Aeronautical Science,’15). Our thoughts are with his family and the families and loved ones of all impacted by this tragic accident,” the school said in a statement on Jan. 30.
Chris Collins
Massachusetts native Chris Collins, who had been residing in New York City, is being remembered for his love of the outdoors, being called a “true adventurer.”
Chris Collins.Courtesy Cana Dunlap Photography
In a statement to NBC affiliate WGBX in Boston, the family said, in part, “Chris’ kindness and compassion extended to everyone, whether you were a family member, friend, or one of the many strangers he connected with during his outdoor adventures. He will be in our hearts forever.”
Lori Schrock and Robert “Bob” Schrock
Lori, 56, and Robert “Bob” Schrock, 58, were among those who died, their daughter, Ellie Schrock, told The Washington Post.
The Schrocks was traveling from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington, D.C., with plans to see their daughter, who is a student at Villanova University near Philadelphia. Bob Schrock was a farmer, and he and his wife lived in Kiowa, Kansas, which is about 90 miles from Wichita.
Staff Sgt. Ryan O’Hara
The Black Hawk helicopter pilot Ryan O’Hara, 28, was also among the victims, according to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp.
“We send our deepest condolences to the families and friends of Ryan O’Hara and Sam Lilley as they navigate this difficult time,” Kemp wrote on X on Jan. 30.
“Both of these young Georgians shared a passion for flight and for serving others, and this terrible tragedy is that much more difficult knowing their lives were cut so unexpectedly short. Marty, the girls, and I ask that all Georgians join us in keeping their loved ones in our thoughts and prayers.”
The U.S. Army said in a statement O’Hara is believed to be deceased pending positive identification.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves
The U.S. Army said the remains of Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, of Great Mills, Maryland, have not yet been recovered, “therefore is duty status-whereabouts unknown.”
Capt. Rebecca Lobach
The U.S. Army identified the third person on board the Black Hawk helicopter as Capt. Rebecca Lobach, of Durham, North Carolina.
Lobach was an aviation officer in the Army from July 2019 until January 2025, according to the U.S. Army.
“She was a daughter, sister, partner, and friend,” Lobach’s family said in a statement. “She was a servant, a caregiver, an advocate. Most of all, she loved and was loved. Her life was short, but she made a difference in the lives of all who knew her. Our hearts break for the other families who have lost loved ones in this national tragedy and we mourn with them.”
Asra Hussain
Hamaad Raza, wife of victim Asra Hussain, told NBC’s Lester Holt that he was waiting at the airport to pick up his wife when he saw emergency vehicles and couldn’t get texts through to Hussain, who had previously been texting him off of the plane’s Wi-Fi. He checked X at that point and saw what was happening.
“I was going to pick her up from departures, like I always do … I always pick her up from departures, and I always help her load the bag into the car and give her a big hug and a kiss and and then off we go,” Raza told Holt. “I had dinner waiting at home.”
Four union workers
The United Association, a labor union representing 384,000 workers, said four members were on the American Airlines plane, although names were not revealed.
“As more information continues to come in, we are heartbroken to confirm that four members of UA Steamfitters Local 602 were among the victims of the American Airlines Flight 5342 crash yesterday,” United Association General President Mark McManus and UA Local 602 Business Manager Chris Madello wrote in a statement that was shared by the United Association in a post on X Jan. 30.
“The entire United Association is grateful to the first responders who worked tirelessly through the night, and who will continue to investigate what happened. Our focus now is on providing support and care to the families of our Brothers as we continue to gather more information in the coming days. We will share more details as they become available, including a nationwide UA relief effort for the families. These members will be forever in our hearts, and may God bless them and their loved ones. May they forever rest in peace.”
Several young figure skaters died in the crash
Among the plane’s passengers were more than a dozen figure skaters, their coaches and loved ones, according to U.S. Figure Skating.
They were returning from a figure skating training camp following last week’s 2025 U.S. Championships in Wichita, Doug Zeghibe, CEO and executive director of The Skating Club of Boston, said in a statement.
Figure skaters Spencer Lane and Jinna Han, both 16, and their mothers, Christine Lane and Jin Han, died in the crash and were affiliated with the Boston club, said Zeghibe.
Brielle Beyer, a 12-year-old figure skater from Virginia, and her mom, Justyna Magdalena Beyer, were also passengers on the plane.
“We’re heartbroken,” Justyna Beyer’s sister, Mariola Witkowska, told NBC News. “We’re just in shock.”
Andy Beyer said his wife and daughter were in Wichita for the week for Brielle’s ice skating training. In an interview, Andy Beyer remembered his daughter, who survived a rare cancer as an infant, as “someone who was just meant to sparkle.”
“And she did,” Andy Beyer told NBC News. “She was a beautiful singer, had a beautiful voice. She used to fill the house with just whatever was on her mind — Taylor Swift, and lately, ‘Wicked.’”
Skater Cory Haynos and his parents, Roger and Stephanie Haynos, were also on the flight. Roger Haynos’ cousin, Matthew LaRaviere, said on Facebook that the family was all expecting Cory “to represent our country in the US Olympics in the future.”
Yu Zhou, Kaiyan Mao and their son Edward, a 16-year-old passionate about figure skating, were killed in the deadly collision. At the time of her death, Mao was an employee at nonprofit MITRE Corporation, which works with U.S. government agencies, the company said in a statement.
“She made a lasting impact through her contributions and consistently brought a positive attitude and enabled a culture of collaboration,” MITRE CEO Mark Peters said in the statement. “She was known for her warmth, generosity, and enthusiasm for helping others—a presence that will be sorely missed. Our hearts are with her family and friends at this tragic time.”
Sasha Kirsanov, Sean Kay and Angela Yang of Delaware were among the many from the figure skating community who reportedly died in the crash.
“I’m devastated to hear the news that at least three Delawareans died during last night’s air collision,” Delaware Sen. Chris Coons wrote on X on Jan. 30.
“Sasha Kirsanov, Sean Kay, and Angela Yang went to Wichita to pursue their passion for figure skating. It is a tragedy that none of them returned home to our state,” Coons said. “Delaware is a state of neighbors, and tonight we hold all of our neighbors a little closer. My heart goes out to Sasha’s wife Natalia, the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club, and every other Delawarean touched by the three of them.”
Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, a married couple who coached at the club, were Russian figure skating stars. The couple won a 1994 world championship in pairs figure skating and competed in the Olympics twice.
Eugenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov at the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics.Chris Cole / Getty Images file
Inna Volyanskaya, a skating coach at Ashburn Ice House in Ashburn, Virginia, was also among the victims, Virginia Rep. Suhas Subramanyam said on social media. Volyanskaya was a former pairs skater for the Soviet Union.
The Russian Embassy also confirmed the deaths of figure skaters Shishkova, Naumov and Volyanskaya in a statement Feb. 1.
“The U.S. Department of State has officially confirmed that our compatriots were among the passengers in the plane crash,” the statement read.
The embassy continued, “They lived permanently in the USA and worked as coaches in American figure skating clubs. We express our sincere condolences to the families and friends of the deceased Russian citizens.”
