Young Delaware Ice Dancing Duo Among Youngest Victims Of Tragic Plane Crash

Angela Yang - Sean Kay US Figure Skating, YouTube

Two of the youngest victims of the tragic airplane crash in Washington, D.C., have been identified as promising youth ice dancers.

Angela Yang and Sean Kay, an up-and-coming ice dance duo, were returning from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and National Development Camp in Wichita, Kansas, when their flight ended in disaster, according to the Delaware News Journal. Both of them were 11-years-old.

 

The talented pair lost their lives alongside their coach, Alexandr Kirsanov. His wife confirmed his passing to the local news outlet. They belonged to The University of Delaware Figure Skating Club

The pair secured first place in multiple categories at the 2025 Midwestern Sectional Singles & U.S. Ice Dance competition, held in Plano, Texas, in November per the Daily Mail.

 

During the juvenile dance final, Yang dazzled in a stunning pink sequined dress as they delivered their performance.

American Airlines Flight 5342 was carrying 14 U.S. figure skaters when it collided with a military aircraft over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The flight had departed from Wichita, Kansas, on Wednesday, January 29, at approximately 9 p.m. local time.

The airline reported that the plane had 60 passengers and four crew members onboard. By Thursday, January 30, officials stated they did not expect any survivors. At the time of reporting, 28 bodies had been recovered.

U.S. Figure Skating confirmed to PEOPLE on Thursday that multiple members of its governing body were among those on the aircraft.

The victims included six individuals affiliated with The Skating Club of Boston: two teenage skaters, Spencer Lane and Jinna Han, their mothers, Molly Lane and Jin Han, and two coaches, former Russian world champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.

Additional victims were members of the Washington Figure Skating Club, the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club, and the Skating Club of Northern Virginia.