The United States is still in shock after the deadliest aviation tragedy in decades. Sixty-seven lives were tragically lost in the catastrophic plane crash in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday night, including sisters Everly and Alydia Livingston, and their parents, Donna and Peter. The Livingston family was among the many victims of this heartbreaking disaster.
According to WTAJ, a news station from Pennsylvania, the Livingston family was aboard American Airlines Flight 5342. Donna Smojice Livingston, her husband Peter, and their two daughters, Everly, 14, and Alydia, 11, were on the flight.
Everly and Alydia were skilled figure skaters and active members of the Washington Figure Skating Club, as reported by Daily Mail. They trained at the Ashburn Ice House, a well-known center for figure skating in Virginia. Just days before the crash, their father shared a photo of the girls in Kansas—a precious memory of their vibrant lives and deep love for skating.
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The sisters’ passion for skating went far beyond the rink—they were adored on social media as the “Ice Skating Sisters.” Just five days before the tragic crash, they shared their final Instagram post, smiling together in front of the rink at the championships, proudly wearing their ‘athlete’ lanyards. The caption read, “If you look closely at Alydia’s badge… We were born ready for this. But is @usfigureskating ready for this much Livingston at Nationals?”
In an interview with FOX 5 DC last year, 13-year-old Everly spoke about her rise in the figure skating world, quickly becoming a star. She shared her excitement for the future and the challenges she faced in the sport. “My goals are to actually be a part of Team USA and travel around the world,” she said, her bright smile lighting up the room.
U.S. Figure Skating confirmed that several members of their community were on the plane, and tributes quickly began to flood in. A growing memorial at the Ashburn Ice House honors the impact of this devastating loss. “The figure skating community is a close-knit, worldwide family, and our hearts are broken,” said the Ashburn Ice House’s management in a statement. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to all affected.”
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The Nittany Valley Figure Skating Club shared their sorrow on social media, saying, “Many of us have lost personal friends. We will hold a moment of silence at our next Club Ice to honor those we’ve lost.”
Cassandra Atkins, a family friend and designer from Australia, created custom skating outfits for the girls through her business, Frozen Couture. While she never met the family in person, she maintained a close connection with Donna, frequently exchanging photos and videos of Everly and Alydia.
Donna, the girls’ mother, worked at Comcast, while their father, Peter, was a real estate agent. The couple was known for their unwavering dedication, balancing the demands of raising two competitive skaters while spending countless nights in hotels and traveling between New Jersey, Michigan, and Virginia. “Donna was the perfect mom,” Atkins told WFLA. “The girls were her world. They loved wearing bright, standout outfits, and they always brought so much joy to the ice.”
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Atkins also shared that the sisters were always active, even when they weren’t on the ice. “If they weren’t skating, they were roller skating—or they’d put wheels on their boots. They always found a way to move.”
Deadliest Air Disaster in 24 Years
The tragic crash occurred when an American Airlines flight collided with a military Black Hawk helicopter during a training exercise. The commercial plane, preparing to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport, spiraled into the Potomac River following the collision. It marked the deadliest U.S. air disaster in nearly 24 years.
Many of the passengers aboard the ill-fated flight, which was en route from Kansas, were connected to the figure skating community—athletes, coaches, and their families. The Skating Club of Boston confirmed the loss of six victims, including Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, the 1994 World Champion pair skaters. Ice rinks along the U.S. East Coast are now mourning the loss of their beloved skaters.
As investigators continue to work on uncovering the cause of the crash, communities across the nation are grieving the loss of Everly, Alydia, and so many others whose lives were tragically cut short. Their bright spirits and passion for skating will never be forgotten.