The figure skating community is in a state of shock and grief. 11 young figure skaters 13 parents, and four figure skating coaches were killed at around 9 pm eastern time when the American Airlines plane they were on collided with an army helicopter.
This incident is heartbreaking. It just doesn’t seem real.
I can’t help but think of these young and upcoming skaters who were honored to have earned spots on the US Figure Skating Developmental Team. These kids were all flying home from Wichita after watching the 2025 US Figure Skating Championships and staying for the Developmental Training Camp. They were young, so their parents accompanied them and so did their coaches.
Angela Yang, 11, and Sean Kay, 11, were undefeated in juvenile ice dance this season. The talented team had big plans for their future. Angela began her career as a solo dancer but dreamed of skating with a partner. Her mother, Lily, decided to make the move from Maryland to Delaware and began homeschooling her daughter as she pursued her skating dream. Angela’s father remained in China while his wife raised their three children and supported Angela’s skating dreams.
Angela’s partner, Sean Kay, was always a natural on the ice. The second oldest of four siblings (all of whom skated), Sean followed his older sister on the ice and soon outskated her and his peers, winning solo dance competitions nationally at the juvenile and intermediate levels. His skating continued to develop and he planned to move up to the junior level in solo dance while competing with Angela in intermediate next season.
Angela and Sean were coached by Natalya Gudina and her husband, Sasha Kirsanov, at the University of Delaware. Sasha accompanied them at the developmental camp (also aboard AA5342). Angela was accompanied on the flight by her mother, Lily, and Sean was accompanied by his mother, Yulia, a night nurse, who raised and homeschooled four children.
Angela is survived by her father and two siblings. Sean is survived by his father, Vitaly, and three siblings.
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Everly and Alydia, their father Peter and mother Donna, were also on board flight 5342 when this terrible plane crash occurred. All 60 passengers on the flight, four crew members, and three people on the helicopter were killed in the tragic accident.
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My own three kids, my father, husband, and I were just like these families and skaters. My kids are grown up now, but were once young and up and coming skaters. I’m sharing below some of our happy memories from those days. We relate to all who have been affected. We traveled many times together to similar events like the US Figure Skating Developmental Training Camp. We are devastated.
