Young ice skating sisters lost life in D.C. plane crash

The United States continues to grapple with the aftermath of its most catastrophic aviation accident in decades.

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

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

Final Social Media Post According to Pennsylvania-based news outlet WTAJ, Donna Smojice Livingston, her spouse Peter, and their daughters—Everly, 14, and Alydia, 11—were aboard American Airlines Flight 5342 at the time of the disaster.

As reported by the Daily Mail, Everly and Alydia were highly skilled figure skaters and integral members of the Washington Figure Skating Club. They practiced at Ashburn Ice House, a central location for the skating community in Virginia.

Only a few days before the tragic accident, their father captured a heartfelt photo of the sisters in Kansas—one of many treasured snapshots of their passion for skating and life.

The sisters’ enthusiasm for figure skating transcended the rink; they had garnered a strong following on social media as the adored “Ice Skating Sisters.”

Their last Instagram update, shared five days prior to the crash, depicted the girls beaming in front of the championship ice rink, proudly donning their ‘athlete’ credentials.

“If you take a close look 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 ago, Everly, then 13, spoke to FOX 5 DC about her growing success in figure skating, quickly establishing herself as an emerging talent in the sport. In an emotional interview, she reflected on the joys and challenges of skating, sharing her aspirations for the future.

“My dream is to become part of Team USA and travel internationally,” she said, flashing a bright smile.

A Friend’s Tribute U.S. Figure Skating confirmed that several of its members were on board the ill-fated flight, prompting an outpouring of condolences. A memorial at Ashburn Ice House has continued to expand, reflecting the deep sorrow felt throughout the skating world.

“Our deepest sympathies go out to everyone impacted,” stated Ashburn Ice House’s management. “The figure skating community is a tightly bonded, global family, and our hearts are shattered.”

The Nittany Valley Figure Skating Club also shared their sorrow in a social media post, stating, “Many of us have lost dear friends. We will observe a moment of silence at our next Club Ice session in remembrance of those we lost.”

Cassandra Atkins, a designer based in Australia, had crafted custom skating costumes for Everly and Alydia through her brand, Frozen Couture. Though she had never met the family in person, she maintained frequent communication with Donna, exchanging images and videos of the girls in action.

Donna was employed at Comcast, while Peter worked in real estate. The couple was known for their unwavering dedication as parents, juggling the demands of raising two competitive skaters while traveling extensively to New Jersey, Michigan, and Virginia over the past several months.

“Donna was an extraordinary mother,” Atkins expressed to WFLA. “Her daughters meant everything to her. They adored eye-catching, vibrant outfits and radiated joy every time they stepped onto the ice.”

Atkins also shared that the sisters were always on the move, even when they weren’t on the rink.

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

Deadliest Air Tragedy in 24 Years The disaster took place when an American Airlines jet collided with a military Black Hawk helicopter engaged in a training exercise. As the commercial aircraft prepared to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport, the impact sent it spiraling into the Potomac River. This marked the most fatal aviation accident in the U.S. in nearly 24 years.

Several passengers on the ill-fated flight had ties to the figure skating world, including athletes, coaches, and their loved ones. The Skating Club of Boston confirmed that six of their members, including 1994 World Champion pair skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, were among the casualties.

Ice rinks along the East Coast are now grieving the loss of their skaters.

As investigators strive to determine the cause of the tragedy, communities nationwide continue to mourn the untimely passing of Everly, Alydia, and many others. Their radiant spirits and unwavering love for skating will forever be remembered.