Young ice skating sisters lost life in devastating plane crash

The United States remains in shock following the most catastrophic aviation accident the nation has witnessed in decades.

A total of sixty-seven individuals perished in the heartbreaking plane crash near Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night, including sisters Everly and Alydia Livingston, along with their parents, Donna and Peter.

The Livingston family was among the numerous victims of this tragic calamity.

Final social media update According to Pennsylvania news outlet WTAJ, Donna Smojice Livingston, her spouse Peter, and their daughters—14-year-old Everly and 11-year-old Alydia—were passengers on American Airlines Flight 5342.

As reported by the Daily Mail, Everly and Alydia were accomplished figure skaters and active members of the Washington Figure Skating Club. The sisters trained at Ashburn Ice House, a well-known facility for skaters in their Virginia community.

Mere days prior to the accident, their father captured a cherished photograph of the girls in Kansas—one of many treasured moments reflecting their enthusiasm for life and their sport.

Their passion for figure skating was not confined to the ice rink—on social media, they were affectionately known as the “Ice Skating Sisters.”

Their final Instagram post, shared just five days before the fatal crash, showed the two beaming in front of the rink at the championships, proudly wearing their ‘athlete’ credentials.

“If you zoom in on Alydia’s badge… We were born ready for this,” the caption read. “But is @usfigureskating ready for this much Livingston at Nationals?”

Just a year ago, Everly, then 13, spoke with FOX 5 DC about her accomplishments on the ice, rapidly establishing herself as a rising figure skating talent. During an emotional interview, she reflected on both the challenges and the beauty of the sport, voicing her aspirations for the future.

“My dream is to become part of Team USA and compete around the globe,” she shared with a radiant smile.

A family friend remembers U.S. Figure Skating confirmed that multiple members of their community were aboard the ill-fated flight, and tributes swiftly emerged. A growing memorial at Ashburn Ice House underscores the profound sorrow felt by those impacted.

“Our deepest sympathies go out to all affected,” stated Ashburn Ice House’s management. “The figure skating world is a tightly connected global family, and we are devastated.”

The Nittany Valley Figure Skating Club also conveyed its grief through a social media post, stating, “Many of us have lost dear friends. We will observe a moment of silence at our next Club Ice to honor those we have lost.”

Cassandra Atkins, an Australian designer, created custom skating costumes for the Livingston sisters through her company, Frozen Couture. Although she never met the family in person, she often communicated with Donna, exchanging pictures and videos of Everly and Alydia.

Donna was employed by Comcast, while Peter worked as a real estate agent. The couple was known for their unwavering dedication to their daughters’ figure skating careers, frequently traveling between New Jersey, Michigan, and Virginia, spending many nights in hotels to support their children’s passion.

“Donna was an incredible mother,” Atkins shared with WFLA. “Her daughters meant everything to her. They adored bold, eye-catching outfits and always brought energy to the rink.”

Atkins also recalled that even outside of figure skating, the sisters were constantly in motion.

“If they weren’t on the ice, they were roller skating—or they’d attach wheels to their shoes. They always found a way to stay active.”

Most devastating aviation accident in over two decades The disaster occurred when an American Airlines aircraft collided midair with a military Black Hawk helicopter engaged in a training exercise. As the commercial plane prepared to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport, it spiraled downward into the Potomac River. This marks the most fatal U.S. aviation incident in nearly 24 years.

Many passengers on the doomed flight had ties to the figure skating community—competitors, coaches, and their families. The Skating Club of Boston confirmed that among the deceased were six individuals, including 1994 World Champion pair skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.

Skating rinks along the East Coast are now mourning the loss of their athletes.

As investigators strive to determine the cause of the crash, communities across the country grieve for Everly, Alydia, and the many others whose lives were tragically cut short. Their infectious energy and love for skating will forever be remembered.