Kim Yuna / Courtesy of tvN

Former figure skating national team member Kim Yuna has expressed her condolences for the members of a figure skating team who lost their lives in a tragic collision between a small passenger plane and a military helicopter near Washington, D.C.

Kim shared a condolence message on social media, Saturday, reposting a statement originally issued by the Korea Skating Union regarding the victims of the Washington plane crash. The statement said, "With deep sorrow and condolences, we sincerely mourn the figure skating team and all victims who tragically lost their lives in the Washington plane crash." It continued, "We will forever remember their passion, dedication and beautiful performances."

The statement also extended sympathy to the families, fellow athletes, U.S. Figure Skating and all those grieving, saying, "We send our deepest condolences and wish peace for the souls of the victims."

The accident occurred on Jan. 29 at approximately 8:50 p.m. local time when PSA Airlines Flight 5342, operated by American Airlines' subsidiary, was attempting to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The aircraft collided midair with a Black Hawk military helicopter before crashing into the Potomac River. U.S. rescue authorities reported that all 67 people on board both vehicles, including 60 passengers, four crew members and three military personnel, were killed.

Among the victims were around 20 people from the figure skating community, including skaters, coaches and family members who had been returning from a national training program in Kansas. Thirteen-year-old Jinna Han and 16-year-old Spencer Lane, both of Korean descent, were also on board. Lane, adopted from Korea at a young age, won the Eastern Sectional competition in the intermediate division last November.

The crash also claimed the lives of former world figure skating champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov of Russia, who were serving as coaches. Doug Zeghibe, CEO of the Boston Skating Club where the victims trained, was also reportedly on the ill-fated flight.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.