The victims of last night’s deadly airplane and helicopter crash outside Reagan National Airport included multiple Fairfax County Public Schools students and their parents, Superintendent Michelle Reid says.
All 64 people on American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, and three soldiers on the military helicopter — a U.S. Army UH-60 Blackhawk that was on a training mission from Fort Belvoir — are believed to have perished in the crash.
While many of the victims are still being recovered and identified, several plane passengers were figure skaters, coaches and family members who had been in Wichita for a National Development Camp in conjunction with the 2025 Prevagen Figure Skating Championships, U.S. Figure Skating confirmed this morning (Thursday).
In an update at 3 p.m., Reid announced that the figure skaters included three FCPS students and six parents, a loss that affects multiple schools and departments.
“Two of the parents were current or former FCPS staff members,” Reid said. “Multiplying the grief are the siblings, spouses, relatives, friends and colleagues who have lost loved ones.”
FCPS isn’t releasing specific information about the victims, including their names, “out of care for those who are directly involved at this time,” the superintendent said.
The Skating Club of Northern Virginia, which is based at the Fairfax Ice Arena (3779 Pickett Road) in Fairfax City, had members on the flight, NBC4 reported. Former Loudoun County Public Schools students and an Ashburn Ice House coach were also among the flight’s passengers.
In a joint statement with the Washington Figure Skating Club, the Northern Virginia club noted that the crash “has shaken” the local skating community in the D.C. region and beyond, while reiterating its commitment to supporting members and their families “during this heartbreaking time.”
“Our hearts go out to families, friends, and loved ones mourning this unimaginable grief,” the clubs said. “As we continue to process this tragedy, we honor the memories of those who we have lost — their passion for the sport, the friendships they cultivated, and the joy they brought to the ice. Their presence at our rinks and in our community is deeply felt, and their absence is indescribable.”
The crash is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) with support from the Federal Aviation Administration and U.S. Army. NTSB officials declined to speculate about what caused the crash at an afternoon press conference, noting that efforts to recover victims and black boxes from the aircraft are still underway.
Public safety and emergency personnel from Fairfax County have been enlisted in the crash response under a mutual aid agreement. Officials with the county and Alexandria City are urging people to avoid touching or removing any of the wreckage washing up on the shores of the Potomac River, where the aircraft fell.
“The airline/helicopter crash recovery efforts will continue throughout the day,” the Fairfax County Health Department said on social media. “If you believe you have information related to the recovery efforts in the Potomac or Anacostia Rivers, immediately call 911. Do not touch or remove the item(s). Following this guidance is critical.”
With the toll of the crash becoming clearer, including its impact on local residents, Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay says the county remains committed to supporting the families of local victims, first responders and others affected by the crash, including by providing counseling and other resources as needed.
“Now, more than ever, we must stand together as a community,” McKay said in a statement shared at 5:51 p.m. “I ask that you join me in keeping the victims and their families in your thoughts and prayers. “In these difficult days ahead, let’s continue to support one another. Fairfax County stands ready to provide additional assistance as needed.”
Crisis counselors and support staff are available for any FCPS students, families and staff who are in need of “comfort and assistance,” Fairfax County School Board Chair Karl Frisch said in a statement on behalf of the entire board.
We are heartbroken to learn of the devastating loss of life in last night’s aviation accident, including three of our FCPS students and six of our FCPS parents.
On behalf of the Fairfax County School Board, I extend our deepest condolences to their families, friends, and the entire school community. This is an unimaginable tragedy. We join the nation and our students, educators, and families in grieving.
Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to supporting those affected in every way possible. Crisis counselors and support staff are available to provide comfort and assistance to anyone in need.
In moments like this, we must come together as a community to support one another. Please keep the families and loved ones impacted by this tremendous loss in your thoughts.
The full messages from Reid and McKay are below.
Hello Team FCPS,
We are devastated by the tragic news as we learn members of our FCPS community have lost their lives in the accident last night at Reagan National Airport.
Many are reaching out to share their sorrow and emotions at this difficult time. We are hearing from students, staff members, and others in the community who are expressing their care and concern for those who have lost loved ones. I invite you to join me in keeping all those affected by this deep community loss in our prayers.
We have more details that we can now share. Many on the flight were returning from a figure skating event in Wichita, Kansas. What we know at this time is that three of our FCPS students and six of our FCPS parents were lost, affecting multiple schools and departments here at FCPS. Two of the parents were current or former FCPS staff members. Multiplying the grief are the siblings, spouses, relatives, friends and colleagues who have lost loved ones.
We must remain sensitive to the privacy needs and concerns for those who are directly involved. Therefore, we are not releasing specific information such as names out of care for those who are directly involved at this time.
We know many in our FCPS community are now learning this tragic news and understanding the enormity of our loss. We have resources available to support students, staff, and families. I want to specifically recognize our principals, teachers, counselors, and other crisis teams who are responding to the needs of our students, families, and staff during this most difficult time. We also continue to be thankful for our first responders and community partners.
Our team is standing by and ready to provide necessary support for everyone in our FCPS community. In addition, this resource may assist you in having difficult conversations with your children.
We will continue to keep you updated as we are able. I speak for all of us at FCPS as we offer our condolences to everyone involved in this heartbreaking tragedy.
It is a time to hold one another closer…
Dr. Michelle C. Reid
Superintendent
Friends,
Throughout the day, we have learned more about the victims of last night’s tragic accident at Reagan National Airport, including some members of our Fairfax County Public Schools community. As we continue to receive updates, our hearts are with their families, friends, and colleagues as they endure this unimaginable grief.
In the wake of this tragedy, we remain committed to supporting the victims’ families, our first responders, and all in our community who have been affected. As a Board, we will continue working closely with our regional partners, school leaders, and public safety officials to ensure that counseling and other necessary resources are available during this difficult time.
We are deeply grateful for the tireless efforts of our emergency responders, who have been working around the clock to assist during this crisis. This is a very traumatic event, and we recognize the emotional toll this experience may have on them. We will ensure that they receive all of the support they need and deserve.
Now, more than ever, we must stand together as a community. I ask that you join me in keeping the victims and their families in your thoughts and prayers. In these difficult days ahead, let’s continue to support one another. Fairfax County stands ready to provide additional assistance as needed.
Sincerely,
Jeff McKay
