The United States is grappling with the aftermath of one of the deadliest aviation disasters in decades.
Sixty-seven lives were tragically lost in the devastating D.C. plane crash on Wednesday night, including sisters Everly and Alydia Livingston, along with their parents, Donna and Peter. The Livingston family was among the many victims of this heartbreaking disaster.
According to Pennsylvania-based news station WTAJ, Donna Smojice Livingston, her husband Peter, and their two daughters, Everly, 14, and Alydia, 11, were among the passengers on American Airlines Flight 5342.
According to the Daily Mail, Everly and Alydia were talented figure skaters and proud members of the Washington Figure Skating Club. They trained at the Ashburn Ice House, a central hub for the local skating community in Virginia.
Just days before the tragic crash, their father captured a heartwarming photo of the girls in Kansas — one of many treasured memories reflecting their passion for life and their love of skating.
The sisters’ passion for skating went far beyond the rink — they were beloved on social media as the “Ice Skating Sisters.”
Their final Instagram post, shared just five days before the tragic crash, showed the sisters smiling together in front of the ice rink at the championships, proudly wearing their ‘athlete’ lanyards.
“If you look closely at Alydia’s badge… We were born ready for this,” the caption read. “But is @usfigureskating ready for this much Livingston at Nationals?”
Just last year, 13-year-old Everly spoke with FOX 5 DC about her growing success in the figure skating world, quickly making a name for herself as a rising star. In a heartfelt interview, she reflected on the challenges and beauty of the sport, sharing her dreams for the future.
“My goals are to actually be a part of Team USA and travel around the world,” she said, her face lighting up with a bright smile.
Family Friend Shares a Memory
U.S. Figure Skating confirmed that several members of their community were on board the flight, and tributes quickly began to pour in. A growing memorial at the Ashburn Ice House is a testament to the profound impact of the tragedy.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to all affected,” said the management of Ashburn Ice House in a statement. “The figure skating community is a close-knit, worldwide family, and our hearts are broken.”
The Nittany Valley Figure Skating Club also shared their sorrow in a heartfelt social media post, saying, “Many of us have lost personal friends. We will hold a moment of silence at our next Club Ice in honor of those we’ve lost.”
Family friend Cassandra Atkins, a designer from Australia, created custom skating outfits for the girls through her business, Frozen Couture. Though she never met the family in person, she stayed in frequent contact with Donna, exchanging photos and videos of Everly and Alydia as they pursued their skating dreams.
The girls’ mother, Donna, worked at Comcast, while their father, Peter, was a real estate agent. They were known for being incredibly devoted parents, juggling the challenges of raising two young skaters while spending countless nights in hotels and traveling between New Jersey, Michigan, and Virginia in recent months.
“Donna was the perfect mom,” Atkins shared with WFLA. “The girls were her world. They loved bright, standout outfits and always brought so much joy to the ice.”
Atkins also shared that even when they weren’t on the ice, the sisters couldn’t stay still.
“If they weren’t skating, they were roller skating—or they’d put wheels on their boots. They always found a way to move.”
Deadliest Air Disaster in 24 Years
The crash occurred when an American Airlines flight collided with a military Black Hawk helicopter during a training exercise. The commercial plane, preparing to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport, spiraled into the Potomac River after the collision. It marked the deadliest U.S. air disaster in nearly 24 years.
Many of those aboard the ill-fated flight, en route from Kansas, were connected to the figure skating world — athletes, coaches, and their families. The Skating Club of Boston has confirmed six victims, including Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, the 1994 World Champion pair skaters.
Ice rinks along the U.S. East Coast are now mourning the loss of their skaters.
As investigators work to uncover the cause of the crash, communities across the nation mourn the loss of Everly, Alydia, and so many others whose lives were tragically cut short. Their vibrant spirits and deep love for skating will never be forgotten.