In a devastating tragedy, 13-year-old figure skater Jinna Han and her mother, Jin Han, were among the victims of a tragic plane crash near Washington, D.C., on January 30, 2025. The flight, which was returning from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas, collided mid-air with a military Black Hawk helicopter before crashing into the Potomac River. Authorities launched a major search and recovery operation, but no survivors were found.

Jinna Han, a competitive skater, was known for her remarkable technical skills and graceful performances. She had competed in the 2025 Eastern Sectional Singles Final in the novice women’s free skate category and had recently earned praise for her outstanding performances at The Skating Club of Boston’s Ice Chips show. Doug Zeghibe, CEO of the Skating Club of Boston, expressed deep sorrow, calling the loss a “horrible tragedy” for both the sport and the club.

The crash also claimed the lives of other members of the Skating Club of Boston, including athletes, coaches, and parents who were traveling together. Jinna’s passing has left a significant mark on the figure skating community, with many remembering her as a poised, dedicated, and supportive competitor. Journalist and skating enthusiast Kat Cornetta shared her grief, writing, “Jinna Han was a remarkable skater and will be deeply missed.”

In addition to Jinna and her mother, the flight carried a number of other promising young athletes and experienced coaches, including Russian-born ice skating champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov. The couple, former world champions, had dedicated their careers to coaching young skaters in the U.S. Their deaths, along with the others on board, have shocked the figure skating world. Many participants were seen as future contenders for major competitions, including the 2030 Olympic Games.

As the community continues to mourn, the U.S. Figure Skating Association expressed their condolences, stating, “We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts.” The search and recovery efforts continue, and authorities are working to identify all those lost in the crash, which has left a lasting impact on the figure skating world.