The nation is grappling with the aftermath of a devastating aviation disaster that claimed the lives of sixty-seven people. Among those lost in the tragic D.C. plane crash on Wednesday night were sisters Everly and Alydia Livingston, along with their parents, Donna and Peter.
The Livingston family was among the many victims of this heartbreaking event. According to Pennsylvania-based news station WTAJ, they were on board American Airlines Flight 5342 when the tragedy occurred. Everly, 14, and Alydia, 11, were both talented figure skaters and dedicated members of the Washington Figure Skating Club. They trained at the Ashburn Ice House, a well-known gathering place for skaters in Virginia, where they honed their skills and built a strong presence in the skating community.
Their passion for the sport extended beyond competition, as they became widely recognized on social media under the moniker “Ice Skating Sisters.” Just five days before the crash, they shared a joyful moment on Instagram, standing in front of the ice rink at the championships with their ‘athlete’ lanyards proudly displayed.
“If you look closely at Alydia’s badge… We were born ready for this,” the caption read. “But is @usfigureskating ready for this much Livingston at Nationals?”
Everly, a rising star in figure skating, had recently spoken with FOX 5 DC about her love for the sport and her dreams for the future. She had been determined to one day represent Team USA, traveling the world as a competitive skater.
The loss of the Livingston family has sent shockwaves through the skating community. U.S. Figure Skating confirmed that multiple members of their community were on board the ill-fated flight, prompting an outpouring of grief. At the Ashburn Ice House, a growing memorial reflects the deep sorrow felt by those who knew and admired Everly and Alydia.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to all affected,” the Ice House management shared in a statement. “The figure skating community is a close-knit, worldwide family, and our hearts are broken.”
Other clubs and organizations echoed similar sentiments. The Nittany Valley Figure Skating Club acknowledged the profound loss in a social media post, stating, “Many of us have lost personal friends. We will hold a moment of silence at our next Club Ice in honor of those we’ve lost.”
Among those mourning was Cassandra Atkins, a designer from Australia who created custom skating outfits for Everly and Alydia through her business, Frozen Couture. Although she never met them in person, she frequently exchanged photos and videos with their mother, Donna, marveling at the girls’ boundless energy and joy.
“Donna was the perfect mom,” Atkins shared with WFLA. “The girls were her world. They loved bright, standout outfits and always brought so much joy to the ice.”
Even outside the rink, the sisters could never stay still. If they weren’t skating, they were roller skating—or finding creative ways to keep moving. Their parents, Donna and Peter, were known for their unwavering dedication, balancing the challenges of raising two competitive skaters while spending countless nights traveling between New Jersey, Michigan, and Virginia.
The crash, one of the deadliest U.S. air disasters in nearly 24 years, occurred when an American Airlines flight collided with a military Black Hawk helicopter during a training exercise. As the commercial plane prepared to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport, the collision sent it spiraling into the Potomac River.
Many passengers on board were members of the figure skating world—athletes, coaches, and their families. The Skating Club of Boston confirmed the loss of six individuals, including 1994 World Champion pair skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.
Ice rinks along the East Coast are mourning the loss of their beloved skaters, with tributes pouring in from across the country. As investigators work to determine the cause of the crash, the communities affected by this tragedy come together to remember those lost too soon. Everly and Alydia’s passion for skating, their infectious enthusiasm, and their unwavering love for life will not be forgotten.
