The United States is mourning a devastating loss following one of the worst aviation disasters in decades. The tragic plane crash in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night claimed 67 lives, including young figure skaters Everly and Alydia Livingston and their parents, Donna and Peter Livingston.
A Family Lost in a Devastating Crash
According to reports from Pennsylvania-based news station WTAJ, the Livingston family was aboard American Airlines Flight 5342 when it crashed. Donna Smojice Livingston, her husband Peter, and their two daughters, 14-year-old Everly and 11-year-old Alydia, were among the victims of this heartbreaking tragedy.
Everly and Alydia were passionate figure skaters, recognized members of the Washington Figure Skating Club. They trained at the Ashburn Ice House, a well-known center for the skating community in Virginia. Their dedication to the sport was evident not only in their performances but also in the enthusiasm they shared with their growing social media audience, where they were affectionately known as the “Ice Skating Sisters.”
Final Social Media Post Captures Their Passion
Just days before the crash, Everly and Alydia shared a joyful moment from their journey to the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Their final Instagram post featured them smiling at the ice rink, wearing their ‘athlete’ lanyards with pride.
“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?”
Everly had recently spoken with FOX 5 DC about her aspirations, sharing how she dreamed of representing Team USA and competing on the world stage.
“My goals are to actually be a part of Team USA and travel around the world,” she said, beaming with a bright smile.
A Community in Mourning
The U.S. Figure Skating community has been deeply affected by the tragedy, with tributes pouring in from across the country. The Ashburn Ice House, where the sisters trained, has become a site of remembrance, with flowers, candles, and heartfelt messages from fellow skaters and coaches.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to all affected,” the Ashburn Ice House’s management shared in a statement. “The figure skating community is a close-knit, worldwide family, and our hearts are broken.”
The Nittany Valley Figure Skating Club, where the sisters also had ties, expressed their grief on social media. “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.”
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Remembering a Devoted Family
Donna Livingston worked at Comcast, while Peter was a real estate agent. Friends describe them as devoted parents who did everything they could to support their daughters’ skating careers.
Family friend Cassandra Atkins, an Australian designer who created custom skating outfits for the girls, shared her heartbreak over the loss.
“Donna was the perfect mom,” Atkins told WFLA. “The girls were her world. They loved bright, standout outfits and always brought so much joy to the ice.”
Even off the ice, the sisters were full of energy and life. “If they weren’t skating, they were roller skating—or they’d put wheels on their boots. They always found a way to move,” Atkins recalled.
The Deadliest U.S. Air Disaster in Over Two Decades
The crash occurred when the American Airlines flight was involved in a mid-air collision with a military helicopter during a training exercise. The plane, which had been preparing to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport, went down in the Potomac River following the impact.
Authorities have described this as the deadliest aviation disaster in the U.S. in nearly 24 years. The investigation into the exact cause of the crash is ongoing, with officials working to determine what led to the tragic accident.
Among the passengers on the flight were many individuals from the figure skating world—athletes, coaches, and their families. The Skating Club of Boston confirmed that six of its members were aboard, including Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, the 1994 World Champion pair skaters.
A Nation Reflects on the Tragedy
The loss of Everly and Alydia, along with so many others, has left an undeniable void in the skating community and beyond. The sisters’ enthusiasm for their sport and the support of their devoted parents made them a beloved family both on and off the ice.
As communities across the country come together to mourn, their legacy of determination, joy, and passion for skating will continue to inspire others.
