The United States continues to grieve after one of the most catastrophic aviation tragedies in decades.
Sixty-seven people lost their lives in Wednesday night’s plane crash near Washington, D.C., among them sisters Everly and Alydia Livingston and their parents, Donna and Peter Livingston. The family was traveling aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which went down during its approach to Ronald Reagan National Airport.
A family remembered
According to Pennsylvania outlet WTAJ, the Livingstons — Donna, Peter, and their daughters, Everly (14) and Alydia (11) — were among the victims of the devastating crash. Both girls were gifted figure skaters with the Washington Figure Skating Club and trained at Ashburn Ice House, a beloved hub for the local skating community in Virginia.
Just days before the tragedy, their father captured a heartwarming photo of the sisters in Kansas — a joyful memory of their shared love for life and skating.
“The Ice Skating Sisters”
Everly and Alydia’s enthusiasm for skating went far beyond competitions. They were known online as the “Ice Skating Sisters,” adored by fans across social media for their infectious energy and dedication to the sport.
Their final Instagram post, uploaded five days before the crash, showed them smiling proudly in front of an ice rink, wearing their championship lanyards labeled “athlete.”
“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?”
A year earlier, Everly had spoken to FOX 5 DC about her dreams of competing internationally. “My goals are to be part of Team USA and travel the world,” she said with a bright smile — a young athlete full of hope.
Tributes pour in
In the aftermath of the crash, U.S. Figure Skating confirmed that several members of the skating community were among those lost. Tributes quickly filled social media, and a growing memorial at the Ashburn Ice House has become a gathering place for grieving friends and fans.
“The figure skating community is a close-knit family, and our hearts are broken,” read a statement from the Ice House’s management.
The Nittany Valley Figure Skating Club also expressed sorrow, writing: “Many of us have lost personal friends. We’ll hold a moment of silence at our next session in their memory.”
Remembered by friends
Cassandra Atkins, an Australian designer and longtime collaborator of the family, created custom skating costumes for the sisters through her brand, Frozen Couture. Though she never met them in person, she often exchanged photos and videos with Donna, celebrating the girls’ performances and personalities.
“Donna was the perfect mom,” Atkins told WFLA. “Her girls were her entire world. They loved bright costumes and brought such joy to the ice.”
She added that even off the rink, the sisters were always in motion: “If they weren’t skating, they were roller skating — or they’d put wheels on their shoes. They just loved to move.”
The deadliest crash in 24 years
The disaster occurred when the American Airlines jet collided with a military Black Hawk helicopter during a training exercise. The plane, on approach to Reagan National Airport, spiraled into the Potomac River following the collision — marking the deadliest U.S. aviation accident in nearly a quarter century.
Many passengers aboard the flight were part of the figure skating community — including athletes, coaches, and families. The Skating Club of Boston confirmed the loss of six members, among them 1994 World Champion pair skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.
Ice rinks across the East Coast have since turned into memorial spaces, filled with flowers, candles, and photos honoring the fallen.
As investigators continue to determine how the tragedy occurred, communities nationwide are mourning Everly, Alydia, and all the lives lost that night. Their energy, talent, and love for skating will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew them.