Identities of youngest victims in American Airlines crash confirmed

A heartbreaking tragedy has left the nation in shock as the deadliest U.S. plane crash in 24 years claimed 67 lives. Among the victims were two rising stars in figure skating—11-year-old Angela Yang and 12-year-old Sean Kay—whose bright futures were tragically cut short.

The accident occurred on the night of January 29, when a regional jet, departing from Wichita, Kansas, collided mid-air with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. The crash happened around 9 p.m. as the aircraft approached Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Authorities have confirmed that all 67 people on board perished in the collision, marking it as the deadliest aviation disaster in the U.S. since 2001.

The youngest victims – two promising figure skaters

Angela Yang and Sean Kay were not just any young skaters—they were an undefeated duo in juvenile ice dance this season. Their performances had dazzled judges and audiences alike, and they had recently won multiple titles at the 2025 Midwestern Sectional Singles and U.S. Ice Dance competition in Texas.

A touching tribute from a skating group on Facebook described the pair as a “remarkable team with endless potential.” Their tragic passing has left the figure skating community in deep mourning.

Angela’s love for skating began early, inspired by her siblings’ passion for ice hockey. Her mother, Lily, made the difficult decision to move from Maryland to Delaware to support her daughter’s dream, homeschooling Angela so she could focus on her training. Meanwhile, Angela’s father remained in China, working to support the family.

Sean Kay, the second oldest of four siblings, was also a natural on the ice. Following in his sister’s footsteps, he quickly surpassed his peers, excelling in solo dance competitions at both the juvenile and intermediate levels. He had plans to advance to the junior level next season while continuing to compete in ice dance with Angela.

Sean had also earned first place in the 2023 Excel Series Final in the Excel Juvenile Plus Boys category, showcasing his immense talent and determination.

Angela’s final Instagram post

Just hours before the crash, Angela shared a joyful Instagram post about her time at a development camp in Wichita. “I’m really gonna miss my friends and all the great coaches! I can’t wait for next year!” she wrote.

Her innocent excitement for the future now serves as a heartbreaking reminder of how suddenly life can change.

Videos of Angela and Sean’s past performances have since gone viral, with fans and fellow skaters sharing their admiration for the young pair’s grace, skill, and dedication.

A coach lost alongside his students

Angela and Sean were traveling with their coach, 46-year-old Alexandr “Sasha” Kirsanov, who also lost his life in the crash.

His widow, Natalia Gudin, spoke about the immense pain of losing her husband and the two young skaters she had come to love as family.

“This young team—Sean Kay and Angela Yang—they were so amazing. All the judges were so proud, and they had such a big future,” she told Delaware Online. “And what, all on the same plane? For me, it’s a triple loss.”

A profound loss for the skating world

Several other members of the figure skating community were also among the victims. This includes Boston skaters Jinna Han, 13, and Spencer Lane, 16, who were traveling with their mothers.

The 1994 World Champion pair, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, also tragically lost their lives.

Additionally, Pennsylvania news station WTAJ reported that Donna Smojice Livingston, her husband Peter, and their two daughters—Everly, 14, and Alydia, 11—were also on board American Airlines Flight 5342.

A reminder of life’s fragility

The devastating loss of Angela Yang, Sean Kay, and so many others has left a void in the skating community and beyond. Their passion, dedication, and talent will never be forgotten.

As we mourn, we also celebrate their incredible journeys—however short—on the ice. Their memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved them, and their dreams will continue to inspire future generations of skaters.

Our deepest condolences go out to their families, friends, and the entire figure skating community during this incredibly difficult time.