tragic American Airlines flight as more passengers are identified

A Disney On Ice star was among the victims of the tragic American Airlines flight crash that occurred on Wednesday, January 29, leaving dozens dead, as confirmed by a U.S. official. Inna Volyanskaya, a 59-year-old former Soviet figure skater, was one of the passengers who perished in the devastating incident. The flight, en route to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, collided with a military helicopter before plummeting into the Potomac River, killing all 60 passengers and four crew members on board. President Donald Trump confirmed the tragic news, stating that there were “no survivors” during a White House press conference on January 30.

The flight was carrying a group of skaters, coaches, and their families who were returning from the National Development Camp in Wichita, Kansas. U.S. Figure Skating expressed deep sorrow in a statement, saying, “We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available.”

Among the victims were sisters Everly and Alydia Livingston, aged 14 and 11, their parents Peter and Donna Livingston, and their coach, Inna Volyanskaya. Virginia Congressman Suhas Subramanyam confirmed Volyanskaya’s death in a statement on X, highlighting her role as a coach at the Washington Figure Skating Club in Ashburn, Virginia.

Volyanskaya, who was world-renowned for her skills on the ice, had performed in Disney On Ice, taking on iconic roles like Princess Aurora, Cinderella, Belle, and Ariel. She competed as a pairs skater for the Soviet Union during the 1980s and later joined Tatiana Tarasova’s ‘Russian All-Stars’ ice theatre troupe. After retiring from performing, Volyanskaya transitioned into coaching in 2002. She specialized in jump technique, choreography, and off-ice conditioning, training the next generation of figure skaters.

Her former husband, Ross Lansel, paid tribute to her in a heartfelt message, calling her “one of the best skaters he’s ever seen.” He expressed his condolences to her students, saying, “It’s tough because as a figure skating coach, you mean so much to these kids, and you’re like the individual person they look up to.” Hockey coach Serguei Kouznetsov, who knew Volyanskaya from their shared experience as Soviet immigrants, described her as “completely dedicated” to the sport of figure skating.

In her final Instagram post, Volyanskaya celebrated the accomplishments of her students at the National Development Camp, writing, “Congratulations to Everly and Franco for making it to the national development camp for their second year! So proud of all their hard work and training they’ve put in to get here. What an amazing way to start off the year!” This post, shared just days before the crash, serves as a bittersweet reminder of her devotion to the sport and her students.

Volyanskaya’s sudden passing has left the figure skating community, her students, and her colleagues heartbroken. Her contributions to the sport, both as a performer and a coach, were immense. Many of her former students have taken to social media to express their grief and share stories of her impact on their lives. One former student wrote, “She not only taught me how to skate but also how to be strong in life. She believed in me when no one else did.”

In addition to her skating career, Volyanskaya’s legacy as a mentor and coach will remain one of the most enduring aspects of her life. Her guidance helped shape the careers of many young skaters, and her passion for the sport inspired everyone around her. As the skating world processes this immense loss, there is a collective sense of gratitude for the influence she had on the sport and the lives of those she touched.

The crash has sparked an outpouring of support from the figure skating community and beyond. The National Development Camp, where many of the victims had gathered, will likely hold a memorial in honor of those lost. As of now, the investigation into the crash continues, but the loss of Inna Volyanskaya and the others on that flight has left an indelible mark on the hearts of those who knew them.