Norwood Mourns Skating Club Members Lost in Washington, D.C. Mid‑Air Collision
January 29 now carries a solemn weight in Norwood’s civic memory. On this day in 2025, a mid‑air collision over Washington, D.C., claimed the lives of six members of the Skating Club of Boston’s Norwood campus—coaches, skaters, and parents whose presence had shaped the daily rhythm of the West Rink. Their loss reverberated far beyond the ice, touching families, students, and a community that had come to see the Club as one of Norwood’s brightest cultural anchors.
A National Tragedy With Local Heartbreak
Shortly after 7 p.m. on January 29, American Eagle Flight 5342 collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter during approach to Reagan National Airport. The jet plunged into the frigid Potomac River, killing all aboard. National outlets quickly reported the scale of the disaster—67 lives lost, including four crew members and three soldiers aboard the helicopter. But for Norwood, the story became painfully personal as names began to emerge.
Among the victims were six individuals deeply tied to the Skating Club of Boston’s Norwood facility.
Vadim Naumov
&
Evgenia Shishkova
Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova were among the most respected figures in modern figure skating — celebrated not only for their decorated careers as Russian pairs champions, but for the profound influence they left on generations of young skaters as coaches. Rising to prominence in the 1990s, they became known for a style that blended classical Russian technique with an emotional expressiveness that set them apart on the world stage. Their programs were remembered for deep edges, seamless unison, and a quiet intensity that made even the most difficult elements appear effortless.
After retiring from competition, Naumov and Shishkova devoted themselves to coaching with the same dedication and artistry that had defined their skating. Their move to the United States opened a new chapter in which they became beloved mentors to athletes of all ages and levels. Students often recalled their patience, their precision, and their uncanny ability to translate complex technical concepts into intuitive, almost poetic language. They shaped not only strong skaters, but strong people — emphasizing discipline, humility, and respect for the craft.
In rinks across the Northeast, their presence had been unmistakable: Vadim with his calm, analytical eye and understated humor; Evgenia with her elegant posture, sharp attention to detail, and gift for drawing artistry out of even the shyest young skater. Together, they built a legacy that endured far beyond medals. Their influence lived on in the confidence of the children they taught, the careers of the athletes they shaped, and the communities that grew around their shared love of skating.
Jinna Han — Competitive Skater
Jinna Han was a determined and quietly fierce competitive skater whose rise through regional and sectional levels had been defined by resilience, precision, and a deep love for the sport. Known for her textbook jump technique and natural musicality, she approached training with a maturity beyond her years. Coaches often remembered how quickly she absorbed corrections, returning to the ice with sharper edges, deeper knee bend, or more expressive arm lines.
Her programs reflected her thoughtful, graceful personality. Whether skating to lyrical contemporary pieces or dramatic classical scores, she brought a sense of storytelling that lingered in the memory of judges and spectators. Off the ice, she had been warm, focused, and unfailingly supportive of her fellow skaters — the kind of athlete who cheered for others during practice and stayed late to run one more clean program.
Her family, especially her father Jin, had been a steady presence at competitions, forming a quiet foundation beneath her competitive journey.
Spencer Lane — Rising Star from Rhode Island
Sixteen‑year‑old Spencer Lane had quickly become one of New England’s most exciting young talents, a skater whose combination of athletic power and emotional depth set him apart from his peers. Born and raised in Rhode Island, Spencer found his competitive home in Norwood, where he trained under coaches who recognized his potential early. His jumps came naturally — high, fast, and centered — but it was his commitment to artistry that surprised everyone who watched him grow.
Spencer thrived under pressure. At competitions, he carried himself with a calm confidence, stepping onto the ice with the poise of someone far older. His programs often featured bold musical choices and choreography that pushed him artistically, reflecting his willingness to take risks and evolve. Off the ice, he was known for his easygoing personality, quick humor, and the way he encouraged younger skaters who looked up to him.
Supported by his mother, Christine, who rarely missed a practice or competition, Spencer built a reputation as both a formidable competitor and a generous teammate. Many believed he had the potential to break onto the national stage — a young athlete whose promise, tragically, remained unrealized.
Jin Han & Christine Lane — Devoted Skating Parents
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Jin Han and Christine Lane were the steady, loving forces behind the accomplishments of their children, Jinna and Spencer. Jin, soft‑spoken and observant, had been a familiar presence at rinks across the Northeast. He was the parent who arrived early, helped lace skates, and watched every practice with quiet attentiveness. His pride in Jinna extended far beyond medals; he valued the discipline, character, and grace she developed through skating.
Christine brought a warm, organized, and encouraging energy to the rink. She had become a fixture at competitions — the parent with the extra safety pins, the backup snacks, and the reassuring smile that steadied her son before he took the ice. Her belief in Spencer’s potential had been a driving force behind his progress, and her presence at the boards during his programs became part of his competitive rhythm.
Together, Jin and Christine embodied the heart of the skating community: parents who gave their time, energy, and emotional support so their children could pursue a demanding sport they loved. Their sacrifices — early mornings, long drives, hotel weekends, and countless hours in cold rinks — formed the foundation on which their children built their dreams. Their memory lived on in the communities they supported and the young athletes they quietly inspired.
Their deaths echoed the sport’s own history of loss—an eerie reminder, as several news outlets noted, of the 1961 crash that killed the entire U.S. figure skating delegation en route to the World Championships.
Shockwaves Through the Skating Community
Leaders of the figure skating world spoke to reporters on Thursday at The Skating Club of Boston about the loss of two skaters, their mothers, and two coaches. Left to right are Elin Schran, Paul George, Olympian Dr. Tenley Albright, the club’s CEO Doug Zeghibe, and Olympian Nancy Kerrigan (Craig LeMoult GBH News)
The Skating Club of Boston, headquartered in Norwood since 2020, became the emotional center of the tragedy. Coaches and skaters gathered in small groups, sharing memories of the mentors and friends who had shaped their lives on and off the ice.
WJAR reported that the community was “devastated,” especially by the loss of young skater Spencer Lane, whose promise had already drawn national attention. WBUR described the club as “mourning members on downed flight,” emphasizing how tightly knit the Norwood skating community had become.
For many, the most heartbreaking story belonged to Max Naumov, son of Vadim and Evgenia. Just days earlier, he had placed fourth at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. WHDH later chronicled his emotional return to the Norwood rink, where he said the community’s support “felt like a hug every time.”
In the days following the tragedy, staff at the Skating Club of Boston struggled to articulate the depth of their grief. Coaches, administrators, and longtime volunteers described the atmosphere as “silent,” “unreal,” and “like losing members of a family.” Many had trained with the victims since childhood and spoke of the loss as both personal and communal. When Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan visited the club to offer condolences, her presence brought a moment of steadiness to a shaken community. Kerrigan met privately with staff, sharing memories of her own years training in the same rinks and expressing sorrow for the young skaters whose futures had been cut short. Her visit, staff said, “reminded us that the world beyond Norwood is mourning with us.”
Norwood Responds With Honor and Memory
In the months that followed, the Skating Club of Boston announced a sweeping tribute to ensure the victims’ legacies would endure. As reported by Boston 25 News, the Club renamed its West Rink the “Always Champions Training Rink”—a permanent memorial to the six lives lost.
The tribute includes:
- A memorial wall featuring photos, stories, and donor acknowledgments
- Three outdoor benches dedicated to the families
- Two cherry trees planted at the entrance
- Bronze castings of the skates worn by the four skaters and coaches
“Their light and legacies are missed on our ice… every single day,” the Club said in its statement. “They will never be forgotten.”
A Day Etched Into Norwood’s Story
January 29, 2025 stands as one of the most tragic days in Norwood’s modern history. Yet it also revealed the strength of a community bound by shared purpose, artistry, and care. The Skating Club of Boston’s Norwood campus continues to honor the memory of those lost—not only through plaques and ceremonies, but through every young skater who steps onto the ice inspired by the champions who came before them.
Their legacy lives on in the glide of blades, the discipline of training, and the enduring belief that excellence is built on the shoulders of those who teach, support, and love.
Sources
- AP News: “6 Boston skating club members among those killed in D.C. crash”
- Norwood Historical Society: Figure skater who lost both parents in DC plane crash
- WJAR: “Barrington community grieves for rising young figure skater…”
- NBC News: “What we know about the D.C. plane crash victims…”
- Forbes: “D.C. Plane Crash: What We Know About The Victims”
- WBUR: “Boston-area skating club mourns members on downed flight”
- USA Today: “Figure skaters from US, Russia were aboard plane…”
- Boston 25 News: “Skating Club of Boston to rename rink in honor of DC plane crash victims”
- WHDH: “Son of figure skating coaches killed in DC crash set to perform on Norwood rink…”