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DC plane crash victims remembered: athletes, soldiers and children

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1 day ago

February 3, 2025

Sarah Best, top, at a team building activity with students at Peal-Cohn High School.

Married determine skating champions. A scholar returning to school after attending a funeral. A lawyer heading dwelling from a piece journey on her birthday. Members of a steamfitters union. A 28-year-old airline officer engaged to be married within the fall. Three members of a army helicopter crew.

Wednesday night time’s crash between American Airways Flight 5342 and a U.S. Military Black Hawk in Washington D.C. is believed to have spared not one of the disparate lives on board each plane after they collided – together with 60 airline passengers and 4 crew members.

They have been mother and father, coaches, professionals, teenage athletes, troopers and youngsters.

The deaths got here after the passenger jet was making ready to land shortly earlier than 9 p.m. at Ronald Reagan Washington Nationwide Airport after flying from Wichita, Kansas. An air visitors controller sought to information the helicopter across the incoming aircraft.

“PAT25, do you could have a CRJ in sight? PAT25, go behind the CRJ,” an air visitors controller may very well be heard hailing the helicopter at 8:47 p.m.

Then got here the crash. Each plane plunged into the frigid Potomac River. The jet broke into items. “I simply noticed a fireball after which it was simply gone,” an air controller mentioned.

By the next morning, first responders who had raced to find passengers believed nobody had survived the deadliest U.S. passenger air crash since 2001. Search-and-rescue efforts switched to restoration. The trigger remained underneath investigation.

“Our group is uniting as one Wichita, one Kansas, and one American group,” Mayor Lily Wu mentioned on a day when native residents and religion leaders packed into Wichita Metropolis Corridor to hope and console one another over a tragedy that surprised the nation and left painful questions.

Relations mourned. Others waited for phrase of a protected arrival that by no means got here; for the identities of these whose lives have been minimize quick started to emerge.

USA TODAY has reached out to relations as they’ve recognized family members misplaced within the crash. This story might be up to date as extra victims are recognized and extra tributes develop into accessible.

Sarah Greatest wished to vary lives.

“Her legacy isn’t simply in her achievements, which have been many, however within the individuals she impressed alongside the best way,” mentioned Derek Elkins, a good friend of Greatest’s when each have been college students at Northeast Excessive College in Clarksville, Tennessee. “Shedding her is heartbreaking, however her impression won’t ever fade.”

Greatest was 2009 valedictorian at Northeast Excessive College in Clarksville, based on mates. She went on to Vanderbilt College the place she graduated in 2013 with a double-major in Neuroscience and Classical Languages, based on the college.

Greatest taught at Pearl-Cohn Excessive College in Nashville in 2015-16 and 2016-17, the college’s former Govt Principal Sonia Stewart mentioned. Greatest then went to LEAD Public Faculties, Metro Nashville Public Faculties spokesperson Sean Braisted mentioned.

“Sarah Greatest was that uncommon trainer who cultivated belief at warp velocity,” mentioned Chad Prather, a coordinator on the Expertise Administration Workforce within the Human Assets Division at MNPS. Greatest labored at Pearl-Cohn when Greatest was there.

“They knew they mattered to her, that she had their again, that she valued their communities, that she believed of their genius, that she would by no means hand over on them or allow them to hand over on themselves.

“She was that classroom chief who shoved and hugged in excellent steadiness.”

Greatest’s former college students have commented they’ve pursued math and finance careers due to her impression, Prather mentioned.

“She was so proficient at every little thing she did,” former Pearl-Cohn trainer Kathleen Turnmire mentioned. “And after I say she received the youngsters excited to do math, it made me need to take calculus once more.”

“Unbelievably vivid, however was actually, actually good with children,” mentioned Stewart, who’s now Deputy Superintendent for Hamilton County Faculties in Tennessee. “She taught upper-level math and was actually good at getting children who didn’t perceive math to grasp math.”

On the time of the crash, Greatest was working as an affiliate on the Wilkinson Stekloff legislation agency in Washington D.C. Greatest had additionally attended the College of Pennsylvania Legislation College and was the senior editor of the College of Pennsylvania Legislation Evaluate, based on biographical data on the Wilkinson Stekloff web site.

Stewart is working with Wilkinson Stekloff, which is making an attempt to place collectively a remembrance, although particulars weren’t instantly identified.

Greatest was married to Dan Solomon, Turnmire mentioned.

− Andy Humbles, USA TODAY Community

Simply earlier than Capt. Jonathan Campos boarded the American Airways flight he would pilot to Washington D.C., he known as his aunt: He was trying ahead to a Feb. 8 Caribbean cruise with prolonged household they’d been planning for a yr.

Campos deliberate to reach in Washington D.C. Wednesday night time, get to Philadelphia and catch a flight again dwelling to Ormond Seashore, Florida, his aunt, Beverly Lane, advised USA TODAY.

“That was the final time I heard from him,” she mentioned.

His life was minimize quick, together with all passengers and crew, when the flight collided with an Military helicopter over the Potomac River on Wednesday night time.

Campos’ late father was a New York Metropolis police officer, Lane mentioned, instilling a love of service. And he wished to be a pilot since he was a toddler.

“He all the time wished to soar like a fowl,” she mentioned.

The 34-year-old studied at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical College and graduated in 2015.

“Embry-Riddle Aeronautical College is deeply saddened to study of the passing of Captain Jonathan Campos (Aeronautical Sciences,’15),” Sarah Barczyk, the college’s vice chairman for communications, wrote in a brief assertion. “Our ideas are along with his household and the households and family members of all impacted by this tragic accident.”

He additionally acquired his teacher certification at Epic Flight Academy in New Smyrna Seashore, Florida. Epic Flight Academy mentioned Campos was working for PSA Airways, a completely owned subsidiary of American Airways.

The flight faculty put a press release on Fb Thursday sending condolences calling Campos “a talented and devoted pilot with an plain ardour for flying.”

Campos was adventurous – he was a licensed scuba diver and cherished to journey.

“Two weeks in the past, he was in Whistler, Canada, the place he tried helicopter snowboarding for the primary time,” Lane mentioned. “He lived life to the fullest, as if every day was the final.”

Lane mentioned his physique had been recovered and the household plans to put him to relaxation subsequent to his father in Queens, New York.

Final week, President Donald Trump blamed the crash on variety, fairness and inclusion initiatives the place reportedly less-qualified minorities are awarded jobs to satisfy race-based hiring quotas. That is not how airline pilots are employed, mentioned Nick Shaw, a part-time pilot for Spirit Airways who was a captain for American Eagle, a regional provider for American Airways.

He mentioned he does not know of any pilot within the trade employed due to DEI.

“You do not simply present up and develop into the captain of an airline,” mentioned Shaw, a detailed good friend of Campos. “You must earn it by means of seniority and thru rigorous coaching. You’re accountable for individuals’s lives.”

Trump didn’t elaborate on what he meant by saying DEI hiring could have been an element within the aircraft crash.

In any case, Campos was no DEI rent, though he was of Puerto Rican descent, Shaw advised the Daytona Seashore Information-Journal, a part of the USA TODAY Community.

“He does not communicate a lick of Spanish,” he mentioned of Campos. “Dude was from New York. He was as New York as New York will get. When he was a freshman at Embry-Riddle (Aeronautical College), we used to name him ‘Brooklyn.'”

–Chris Kenning, USA TODAY; Clayton Park, Daytona Seashore Information-Journal

Chris Collins had a kindness that prolonged to everybody.

The Dighton, Massachusetts native was dwelling in Stamford, Connecticut and dealing as a vice chairman at Moody’s Investor Service.

“Our household is devastated by the lack of Chris, our beloved husband, son, brother, and uncle,” the Collins household mentioned in a press release.

After rising up in Dighton, Collins, 42, graduated from the College of Massachusetts-Dartmouth and earned his grasp of arts from Brown College in public coverage evaluation. Collins moved to New York Metropolis to pursue a profession in finance, “the place he fell in love with a metropolis woman, his cherished spouse Jen.”

“Chris grew up in North Dighton, MA, adored by his mother and father Bob and Nancy and was all the time prepared for pleasant competitors along with his brother, Matt,” his household mentioned. “Chris’ kindness and compassion prolonged to everybody, whether or not you have been a member of the family, good friend, or one of many many strangers he related with.”

Collins’ household mentioned that he was “a real adventurer with a ardour for the outside and a lifelong love of animals.”

“Chris’ name to the outside by no means wavered, whether or not it was mountain climbing Lögberg in Iceland, tenting and rafting within the Nice Smoky Mountains, snowboarding and snowboarding, and most of all, having fun with the coastal out of doors panorama of Brewster, MA and the remainder of Cape Cod,” his household mentioned.

“The love of canine he found early in life solely grew stronger through the years. His frequent walks with the canine at Fortunate Canine Refuge in Stamford, CT introduced him large pleasure.”

“He might be in our hearts endlessly,” his household mentioned.

− Emma Rindlisbacher, USA TODAY Community

Kiah Duggins, 30, was a civil rights lawyer, aspiring legislation professor, a former White Home intern and Miss Kansas contestant.

“Kiah believed in radical love, unwavering reality, and the battle for a greater world. Let’s carry her torch ahead,” member of the family Aisha Duggins wrote in a fundraiser for causes and initiatives “pricey to (Duggins’) coronary heart, guaranteeing that her work and fervour stay on.”

Previous to her loss of life, Duggins was “set to start a brand new chapter as a professor at Howard College within the fall,” the college posted on social media.

She devoted her profession to combating towards “unconstitutional policing and unjust cash bail practices in Tennessee, Texas and Washington, D.C.,” the publish reads.

Whereas at Wichita State College as a Clay Barton Scholar and scholar authorities chief of workers, she helped discovered the college’s first scholar useful resource pantry that’s nonetheless serving to college students in want. She additionally interned on the White Home underneath the Obama Administration and taught English in Taiwan earlier than graduating in 2017.

“I am unable to consider anyone higher than Kiah to symbolize not simply Wichita State, however the US and humanity,” Wichita State College enrollment government Bobby Gandu advised USA TODAY. “She was simply such a beautiful particular person, and also you knew that she was going to enter an space that is likely to be poverty stricken or lack alternative, and she or he would deliver such pleasure to the individuals in that group.”

−Natalie Neysa Alund and Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY

Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, grew up in a small rural city in east-central Mississippi earlier than going into the army and discovering an aviation profession.

Eaves first served within the Navy, from August 2007 to September 2017, earlier than changing into a UH-60 pilot for the Military, starting in September 2017, the Military mentioned. On Thursday, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves acknowledged Eaves’ loss of life.

“Mississippi is mourning the lack of Brooksville native Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Eaves, who was killed in final night time’s accident at Reagan Nationwide Airport,” Reeves mentioned on X. “Elee and I are praying for the victims’ households and first responders who’re helping.”

In a Fb publish, his spouse, Carrie Eaves, mentioned, “We ask that you just pray for our household and mates and for all the opposite households which might be struggling right now. We ask for peace whereas we grieve.”

Eaves’ mom, Betty Eaves, wrote in a now personal Fb publish about Eaves’ loving nature.

“In the event you knew Andrew Eaves, animals or individuals you by no means run out of affection,” she mentioned. “The extra he gave the extra room he had for extra loving.”

The Military mentioned Eaves and the opposite crew members have been “distinctive leaders and teammates.”

“Their legacy and honorable service to our Nation will endlessly stay,” Lt. Col. Erika A. Holownia, commander of the twelfth Aviation Battalion, mentioned in a information launch. “Their expertise and dedication made our unit higher, day by day. As we mourn this tragic loss, our high precedence is supporting their households, mates, and fellow Troopers. Our ideas and prayers are additionally with the households and mates of American Eagle Flight 5342.”

− Terry Collins, Eve Chen and Lici Beveridge, USA TODAY Community

One of many flight attendants on board the industrial jet was Ian Epstein, a jokester who cherished making passengers snug, based on his ex-wife.

Ian Epstein labored for PSA Airways and lived in Charlotte, based on his Fb web page.

“It’s with a really heavy coronary heart and excessive unhappiness that myself together with our youngsters Hannah Epstein and Joanna Epstein and his sister Robbie Epstein Bloom her husband Steven Bloom and nieces Andi and Dani inform you that Ian Epstein was one of many flight attendants on American Airways Flight 5342 that collided final night time after they have been touchdown in DC.,” his former spouse Debi Epstein posted on social media Thursday.

She requested for prayers because the household travels to Washington, the publish reads.

In keeping with his ex-wife, the couple’s daughter, one in all their two youngsters, is about to be married in lower than two months.

“He made flying enjoyable for the passengers on the aircraft in order that they didn’t get scared,” Debi Epstein advised The Charlotte Observer by cellphone Thursday. “He was all the time the jokester and simply doing the bulletins with the twist.”

An outgoing particular person, she advised the outlet, her ex-husband “died doing what he completely cherished.”

“He had a good looking vitality about him,” Jerri Sherer, of Jackson, Mississippi, advised USA TODAY. “He was enjoyable and flirty and type to everybody.”

The 2 met on a flight from Charlotte, Sherer mentioned, and later dated and stored in contact over the cellphone “for hours”.

“His log off was what satisfied me I would like to provide him my cellphone quantity,” Sherer, 48, mentioned. “I’d by no means achieved that to a stranger earlier than. It was his personal private assertion and was pretty. He cared about individuals and wished to make others completely satisfied.”

–Natalie Neysa Alund USA TODAY

Lindsey Fields cherished huge cats.

For the previous decade, Fields, 40, taught biology at Butler Neighborhood School within the Wichita, Kansas space. She was beloved on the faculty, which praised her vitality and dedication to her craft.

“Lindsey was a colleague, good friend, and educator who devoted her knowledge and abilities to altering college students’ lives day by day. We owe her a lot gratitude for sharing her mild with us and we’ll endlessly really feel this loss. We ship a lot love and help to her household and mates throughout this most troublesome time,” the college mentioned in an announcement Friday morning.

All Butler Neighborhood School campuses will observe a second of silence on Monday, Feb. 3 at 9:45 a.m.

Fields was additionally president-elect of the Nationwide Affiliation of Biology Academics board of administrators. In keeping with an NABT publish on Fb, she was headed to Washington D.C. to symbolize the group and advocate for excellence in life science schooling.

After incomes a grasp’s diploma in zoology from Oklahoma State College, she interned with the Oklahoma Metropolis Zoo.

Oklahoma State Professor Andy Dzialowski was her coursework adviser on the college. He mentioned Fields took on the uncommon job of being an undergraduate educating assistant, which is a job often reserved for post-graduate college students.

“In the event you requested individuals in her division who would have been some of the profitable academics, it could be Lindsey,” he mentioned. “She was a very nice particular person. An awesome huge smile.”

−Dale Denwalt, USA TODAY Community

Jinna Han, 13, was one other determine skater with the Skating Membership of Boston.

She, together with fellow ice skater Spencer Lane, was returning dwelling after the U.S. Determine Skating Nationwide Improvement Camp in Wichita, based on U.S. Determine Skating.

Like Lane, Han competed within the U.S. Determine Skating 2025 Japanese Sectional Singles and U.S. Pairs Last within the Novice Girls Free Skate, the place she positioned fourth, based on the nationwide governing physique for the game. Han’s efficiency might be present in a YouTube video posted by the affiliation.

Han was in Wichita attending the U.S. Determine Skating’s Nationwide Improvement Camp, based on the membership.

The camp is for the “younger aggressive skaters of tomorrow with probably the most promise to be a champion of tomorrow,” mentioned Doug Zeghibe, CEO and government director of the Skating Membership of Boston, in a press release.

Han’s mom, Jin Han, was on the flight together with her and can also be presumed useless. She was a “fantastic, nice, well mannered” member, he mentioned.

“By no means a discouraging phrase,” he mentioned. “At all times appreciative, all the time supportive of not simply Jinna, her daughter, however each athlete. Simply position mannequin mother and father in your sport, and you do not all the time get that.”

− Julia Gomez and Melina Khan, USA TODAY Community

Elizabeth Anne Keys was flying again on her birthday from a piece journey.

As an alternative, Wednesday night time can be her thirty third and closing journey across the solar.

“She was simply the perfect companion and so particular, had such a pointy wit, and simply actually pushed everybody round her to be the perfect variations of themselves,” mentioned her companion of six years, David Seidman.

Keys was a 2010 graduate of Madeira Excessive College in Ohio, the place she was valedictorian, based on a press release from her household. She then attended Tufts College, graduating in 2014 whereas additionally enjoying 4 years on the varsity crusing staff. In 2020, she earned her Juris Physician diploma from Georgetown College Legislation Heart.

She had been an lawyer at Wilkinson Stekloff LPP in Washington D.C. since 2021, based on her LinkedIn web page.

“Elizabeth was robust and fearless – she embraced life at full velocity … She cherished deeply and was deeply cherished,” her household mentioned in a press release. “She was so enjoyable – and humorous! Liz had a pointy wit and appreciated it in others … We’re crammed with insufferable sorrow and despair at our loss.”

Together with Seidman, who the assertion says is the “love of her life,” Keys is survived by her mother and father, Martin and Mary Keys, and her Yorkie terrier, Tucker.

—Aaron Valdez, Cincinnati Enquirer

Spencer Lane, 16, was additionally a promising younger determine skater with the Skating Membership of Boston onboard.He too was returning dwelling from the camp in Wichita, based on an Instagram publish he made hours earlier than the crash.

“I’m so completely satisfied to have certified for nationwide improvement camp earlier in November. It has been my objective nearly ever since I grew to become conscious that it was a factor,” Lane wrote within the publish. “I discovered a lot new data that I can apply to my on a regular basis life, and met so many wonderful individuals!”

In November 2024, Lane competed within the Japanese Sectionals and received first place whereas additionally attaining new private greatest within the quick and free skate portion of the competitors, based on one other publish. It was his first aggressive season.

One of many final photographs Lane posted was to his Instagram story and captured the wing of the aircraft that might later be concerned within the devastating crash.

“Spencer, in the easiest way attainable, was a loopy child,” mentioned Doug Zeghibe, CEO and government director of the Skating Membership of Boston.

Lane “has not been skating that lengthy, and simply rocketed to the highest of the game,” he mentioned.

Douglas Lane, the skater’s father, advised WPRI on Thursday the teenager’s vitality was “infectious” and he was “cherished by everybody.”

Lane’s mom, Christine Lane, was onboard the aircraft with him and can also be presumed useless.

Associated:Determine skaters from US, Russia amongst these aboard doomed aircraft that crashed close to DC

“She was a type of individuals that might plug in anyplace and join with individuals and construct an actual bond,” Douglas mentioned of his spouse.

Elin Schran mentioned Spencer was sensible and type. Schran, daughter of skating nice Dr. Tenley Albright, forged him in his first skilled present in December in Cambridge.

“After the present he came to visit and he was simply beaming,” Schran mentioned. “He was so proficient. He’d solely began skating a few years in the past and he had all his triples. And never simply that however his pure grace and sweetness and understanding of ice and velocity. His positions have been simply so attractive.”

She mentioned one thing clicked for Spencer throughout that present. “He got here to me smiling, ear to ear, saying ‘I get it now. I perceive.’ He began to find the connection to the viewers and that pleasure he was giving different individuals by means of his reward.”

− Julia Gomez and Melina Khan, USA TODAY Community

The Livingstons, a household devoted to one another and the game of determine skating, have been all onboard the flight towards their Ashburn, Virginia dwelling following the Wichita occasion.

Comcast enterprise government Donna Livingston and actual property agent Peter Livingston raised Everly, 14, and Alydia, 11.

The 2 sisters started skating earlier than both of them turned 5. They have been following within the footsteps of Peter, who skated when he was youthful. Each mother and father put their daughters’ ardour above their very own careers − from near-constant touring to discovering personal ice rinks, based on shut good friend Dalal Badri.

“He was such a devoted father. It doesn’t matter what. He would all the time, all the time find time for them to allow them to skate,” Badri advised USA TODAY. “You may’t discover loads of devoted skating households. They’re very uncommon. However Donna was prepared to do something. And if we could not work out how we’ll do that she was like, ‘Don’t be concerned. We’ll make it work.’”

The 2 competed throughout the nation, each incomes a number of juvenile championships and medals that go together with it. They thrived at each determine and curler skating, mastering totally different disciplines from solo dancing to freestyling.

“Everly was such a shy woman, however so centered and she or he simply opened up and lit up when she received on the ice,” Badri mentioned. “Alydia was simply all the time laughing and joking and smiling. She would all the time pop a joke, even when she had a straight face and was the sort of individual that all the time wished to make others chortle.”

-Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY

A Delaware coach and at the very least two members of the College of Delaware Determine Skating Membership have been on the flight, the coach’s spouse confirmed to Delaware On-line/The Information Journal, a part of the USA TODAY Community.

Alexandr “Sasha” Kirsanov, who coached Angela Yang and 11-year-old Sean Kay, was amongst these killed within the crash, his spouse, Natalia Gudin mentioned in a cellphone name from Washington, D.C., the place she was staying as restoration efforts continued.

On Friday, shut household good friend Anna Ulyanova confirmed to The Information Journal that Kay’s mom, Yulia, was additionally on the flight. Her husband, Vitali, 14-year-old daughter and two sons, ages 10 and seven, have been left “shattered.”

“We’ve identified one another for some time,” Ulyanova mentioned of the Kays. “We’ve identified one another for shut to twenty years.”

Ulyanova mentioned they’re all from the Chicago space, together with two mates who “jumped within the automobile” and drove to Delaware to assist help the Kays. Yulia was an “unimaginable” girl “who lived for her youngsters,” based on a GoFundMe created by Ulyanova and her husband.

Kirsanov, 46, was knowledgeable ice dancer who competed for the U.S., Azerbaijan and Russia, based on Worldwide Skating Union outcomes. He competed till 2004, then transitioned to teaching and choreography. He coached his daughter, Nicole, now knowledgeable skater.

“We all the time use American Airways after we go to competitors,” Gudin, his spouse, mentioned. “This time, they go with out me, and all of them are gone.”

Sean Kay and his brother, Skyler, competed in Austin, Texas, in 2023 on the Excel Nationwide Pageant, which provides skaters a possibility to develop abilities whereas showcasing their strengths. An article on the U.S. Determine Skating web site interviewed the brothers’ mom, Yulia Kay, who defined the Excel Sequence gave her sons an opportunity to journey, compete, and to make private connections with different skaters.

“Their favourite half was assembly different boys who love the game as a lot as they do,” Yulia Kay mentioned within the article. “It’s wonderful to look at them as they help one another, encourage one another, want good luck earlier than competitions and congratulate one another on an amazing skate.”

On Jan. 21, the College of Delaware Determine Skating Membership posted on its social media accounts that it was sending skaters to Wichita. “Congratulations to everybody and we want you all the perfect!” the publish learn, with Yang, Kay and two different skaters pictured, medals round their necks.

In a November publish, the membership supplied a glimpse of Yang in a Skater Highlight publish. She mentioned she received into skating due to older siblings who performed hockey. She, too, began enjoying, however, she mentioned, “I quickly found a ardour for ice dance.” As her hockey abilities have been eclipsed by her dancing, she determined to concentrate on the latter.

She talked about how her household and her coaches have been her inspiration, and, requested what she did in her day off the ice, she mentioned she created digital artwork, painted and loved touring and enjoying video video games.

Yang additionally mentioned she had two chinchillas, Star and House, a guinea pig named Reese’s and a parakeet named Cloudy.

—Isabel Hughes, Delaware Information Journal and Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY

Samuel Lilley, 28, was the primary officer on the flight, based on a Fb publish made by his father Tim Lilley. The identical publish said that the youthful Lilley was engaged and to be married within the fall.

“I used to be so proud when Sam grew to become a pilot,” the publish learn. “Now it hurts so unhealthy I can’t even cry myself to sleep.”

USA TODAY reached out to Lilley’s father, Tim, who mentioned he wasn’t instantly accessible to talk about his son. However he advised the Day by day Mail that his son was close to changing into a captain.

Lilley graduated from Georgia Southern College in 2018 with a bachelor’s diploma in enterprise administration. President Kyle Marrero in a press release to USA TODAY mentioned the college group, “is deeply saddened by the lack of one in all our excellent alumni Sam Lilley (‘18) who embodied the eagle spirit and soared past in his profession.”

“We’ll proceed to maintain Sam’ s household and mates in our ideas as they grieve this tragedy,” Marrero mentioned.

-Chris Quintana, USA TODAY

When Sabrina Bell known as Capt. Rebecca Lobach final Wednesday night, she hoped to plan a visit to see a pricey good friend from her time at Fort Belvoir in Virginia.

Now stationed in Alaska as a chief warrant officer 2, Bell badly missed Lobach – her openness, cultured perspective and, most of all, her deep empathy.

Inside hours, when she received the decision, Bell was hit with a wave of shock, then disbelief. Lobach was one in all three army personnel within the Military helicopter that collided with a passenger aircraft close to Washington, D.C., sending each plane spiraling into the Potomac River.

Lobach, a 28-year-old aviation officer assigned to the twelfth Aviation Battalion, was the one feminine pilot on the flight. In an uncommon transfer, the Military granted her household’s request to withhold her title earlier than it was launched on Saturday night.

“Not solely did she deserve what she achieved, however she was overqualified more often than not for what she was in a position to accomplish,” mentioned Capt. Bilal Kordab, who recruited Lobach to the North Carolina Nationwide Guard. “Nothing was simply handed to her.”

“I hope that individuals can look previous the political facet of the entire state of affairs and look previous her race and her gender,” Bell mentioned. “I hope that she’s remembered extra for the impression that she had on different individuals’s lives.”

Lobach’s mates say excellence was her pure state of being.

A Durham, North Carolina, native, Lobach enlisted within the state’s Military Nationwide Guard in December 2018.

She was commissioned as an lively responsibility aviation officer months later. She shortly skyrocketed by means of the ranks, and latched onto piloting like a fowl to air.

Lobach graduated from the College of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a level in biology in 2019. A distinguished army graduate, she was within the high 20% of cadets within the nation, based on the Military.

For her mates in faculty and in service, she was a baker of scrumptious bagels and a “sounding board” for on-point recommendation, based on Bell.

Lobach beforehand performed on the basketball staff of Sewanee, the College of the South, in Tennessee, and she or he by no means let her bodily energy slide.

Lobach’s service prolonged past the army – she was a licensed sufferer advocate with SHARP, the Military’s Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program, and a White Home army social aide.

Lt. Samantha Brown, a detailed good friend who close to Lobach for years after they met at UNC, mentioned she was assured, regardless of the political rhetoric swirling round her good friend’s loss of life, that Lobach can be remembered for one factor – that she heartily deserved her success.

“Rebecca earned her place in that plane,” she mentioned. “She was excellent, and she or he deserved to be there.”

“Rebecca was a patriot. She was a daughter, a sister, a good friend,” she mentioned. “I will miss her for the remainder of my life.”

−Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY

Grace Maxwell had returned to her dwelling in Wichita to attend her grandfather’s funeral and was on her means again to school, based on the Wichita Eagle.

Maxwell, 20, was a junior at Cedarville College in Ohio, her father, Dean Maxwell, advised The Eagle.

He mentioned Thursday that he didn’t know whether or not his daughter is among the many passengers who’ve been recovered from the Potomac River.

“We do know she was on the aircraft,” he mentioned.

Officers at Cedarville College confirmed the loss of life.

“As you may think about, the previous 24 hours have been very troublesome for the Maxwell household and the Cedarville College group. As a college, we don’t want to show this tragic occasion into something greater than a option to honor Grace, her household, and Jesus,” based on a press release despatched Thursday to the college group.

President Dr. Thomas White known as the information heartbreaking and mentioned Maxwell was a “considerate, quiet scholar chief.”

“Grace was a quiet particular person with a eager curiosity in serving to others by means of engineering,” Tim Norman, who served as her secondary advisor, mentioned in a ready launch from the college.

−Chris Quintana, Shahid Meighan and Aaron Valdez, USA TODAY Community

Determine skating coaches and former world pairs champions Vadim Naumov, 55, and Evgenia Shishkova, 52, have been amongst those that are presumed useless within the deadly plane collision in Washington on Wednesday.

Doug Zeghibe, the manager director of the Skating Membership of Boston, recognized the 2 coaches as having been on the aircraft touring from Wichita, Kansas to Washington. He described the couple, who have been married, as “high coaches” and mentioned they’d been working on the membership since 2017.

“They have been very a lot part of our constructing the aggressive skating program right here on the Skating Membership of Boston,” Zeghibe mentioned in a information convention. “While you lose coaches like this, you lose the way forward for the game, as nicely.”

Naumov and Shishkova have been born and raised in Russia and led the nation as one in all its high pairs groups within the early Nineteen Nineties. The pair received the 1994 world championships and competed at two editions of the Winter Olympics, ending fifth in 1992 and inserting fourth two years later.

Ludmila Velikova, who skilled the pair after they have been youngsters, advised Reuters that they have been “proficient and delightful individuals.”

“They have been like my very own youngsters,” Velikova advised the information company. “What’s occurred is terrible. The most effective individuals have been taken away from us.”

Zeghibe described Naumov as “an old-school coach” and Shishkova as exceedingly resilient. “You could not see Evgenia and never simply break right into a smile,” he mentioned.

The 2 took satisfaction in teaching their son, Maxim Naumov, who positioned fourth on the U.S. nationwide championships in Wichita on Sunday. Zeghibe mentioned Maxim traveled again to Boston with him on Monday, so he was not on the deadly flight that collided with a army helicopter two days later.

“It is well-known that mother was all the time too nervous to look at him skate,” Zeghibe mentioned, choking again tears. “However his dad was with him, and pop was within the kiss-and-cry (on Sunday), sharing his nice efficiency.”

− Tom Schad, USA TODAY

Workers Sgt. Ryan O’Hara was the crew chief on board the helicopter throughout Wednesday’s crash. He started serving within the Military in 2014 and was deployed to Afghanistan from March 2017 to August 2017, the Military mentioned.

O’Hara, who specialised in UH-60 helicopter repairs, is described as a standout soldier who was extremely revered, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Josh Muehlendorf advised WAGA-TV in Atlanta.

“Ryan was some of the devoted, disciplined, and dedicated troopers I’ve ever labored with,” mentioned Muehlendorf, who was stationed with O’Hara in Savannah, Georgia in 2020. “He was mainly involved with the protection of his crews; the individuals he was coaching. He wished all people to execute their job with perfection and to return dwelling safely.”

Muehlendorf mentioned he’ll all the time bear in mind O’Hara for his army dedication to the army and love for his household.

“As devoted as he was to the Military, and to the mission, he was actually dedicated to his household,” Muehlendorf mentioned.

− Terry Collins, Eve Chen and Lici Beveridge, USA TODAY Community

Asra Hussain-Raza, 26, was a Renaissance girl, based on father-in-law Hashim Raza.

“She was sensible,” Raza advised USA TODAY in an interview Thursday. “She was cultured, she was a style particular person, she was a incredible cook dinner.”

Her fame, nevertheless, got here from her willingness to be a good friend.

“She would name (mates) simply to say howdy and verify on them. She was an excellent particular person,” Raza mentioned. “It’s devastating that she was solely round for 26 years.”

Asra met her husband, Hamaad Raza, whereas attending Indiana College, based on her father-in-law.

The 2 have been married two and a half years in the past. “I requested my son, when he wished to marry her, why? He mentioned: ‘She was the kindest particular person he’d ever met.’”

She graduated in 2020 with a bachelor’s in well being care administration and coverage, in accordance Indiana College. She was working at a Wichita, Kansas, hospital for a Washington, D.C.-based consulting agency

“She was getting back from a piece journey the place she was serving to to enhance a hospital that basically wanted assist,” Hamaad Raza advised WFIU/WTIU Information. “And, you already know, she was doing what she cherished. She was even engaged on the flight.”

Hamaad advised the outlet that she made probably the most of her life.

“She gave rather a lot, however she had a lot extra to provide,” Hamaad Raza mentioned. “But when there was ever somebody who took benefit of their 26 years of life, it was her.”

−James Powel, USA TODAY

A gaggle of males have been on a looking journey at Fowl Plains in Nice Bend, Kansas, proprietor Chase White advised USA TODAY. White mentioned three of them drove dwelling, and 7 of them have been on the flight that crashed.

White confirmed the boys flying dwelling from the journey have been Jesse Pitcher, Charles “Charlie” McDaniel, Jonathan D. Boyd, Michael “Mikey” Stovall, Alexander “Alex” Huffman, Tommy Clagett and Steve Johnson.

“We’ve spent this previous week, sharing the blind, laughing, speaking about our households, and sharing reminiscences,” Fowl Plains wrote in a social media publish. “Heartbroken is an understatement.”

The United Affiliation of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters additionally confirmed that 5 of these individuals on the looking journey have been long-term members.

Stovall, 40, had been with the UA Steamfitters Native 602 for 19 years. He left behind a spouse and a toddler, based on a GoFundMe organized by a good friend.

Huffman, 34, had been UA Steamfitters Native 602 for 9 years. He left behind his spouse and two youngsters, based on a GoFundMe organized for the household. “His chortle was contagious, and he was all the time there in the event you wanted him,” the fundraiser said.

McDaniel, 44, had been with UA Steamfitters Native 602 for 22 years. Boyd, 40, had been with UA Steamfitters Native 602 for 20 years. Pitcher, 30, had been with UA Plumbers and Gasfitters Native 5 for eight years.

Pitcher had just lately been married and began his personal enterprise, his father advised the Baltimore Banner. “He was only a onerous employee, an amazing son, very dependable,” father Jameson Pitcher mentioned, based on the Banner. “Individuals would name in the course of the night time, and he’d rise up at no matter time it was and rise up the highway and handle no matter he needed to handle.”

Johnson was an avid fisherman, based on TV station 7News DC. Johnson and his crew have been common opponents at Ocean Metropolis’s huge White Marlin Open, and infrequently winners, too. One nonprofit fishing match posted about Johnson on Fb saying, “he was a caring good friend with an enormous coronary heart.”

In keeping with a Meal Prepare organized for the Clagett household, Clagett has a spouse and two daughters. La Plata Youth Soccer Affiliation posted on social media saying he was a coach at his daughters’ soccer membership.

−Kinsey Crowley, Earle Kimel, Keith Demko and Olivia Minzola, USA TODAY Community

Pals known as Wendy Jo Shaffer, 36, a “a nurturing, joyful mom” to her two sons in a GoFundMe account posted within the wake of the crash.

“Her love, kindness, and unwavering spirit touched everybody who knew her, and her absence leaves a void that may by no means be crammed,” the web page reads.

Her husband, Nate Shaffer, echoed these phrases in a press release posted on X by good friend and Fox Information Correspondent Invoice Melugin.

“Wendy was not simply lovely on the skin, however was a very wonderful girl by means of and thru,” Shaffer mentioned.

Melugin mentioned within the publish that he met the couple whereas working in Charlotte, the place the household lives.

The GoFundMe organizers mentioned that she made her household the middle of her life.

“Her boys have been her biggest satisfaction and pleasure, and she or he dreamed of watching them develop into the wonderful people she knew they might develop into,” the organizers wrote.

−James Powel, USA TODAY

Determine skating coach Inna Volyanskaya, 59, was among the many skaters and coaches aboard the aircraft that collided with a army helicopter Wednesday night time, based on Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Virginia.

Earlier than shifting to the US and taking over teaching, Volyanskaya competed internationally as a pairs skater for the Soviet Union. She skated with Valery Spiridonov, whose son, Anton, now represents the U.S. in ice dance.

“Dad’s skating companion,” Anton Spiridonov posted on Instagram. “Relaxation in peace, Inna.”

Volyanskaya was affiliated with the Washington Determine Skating Membership and coached athletes at Ashburn Ice Home. In keeping with her on-line biography with the rink, she additionally participated in “Disney on Ice” productions earlier than changing into a coach in 2002, working with a variety of skaters from novices to elite opponents.

In an Instagram publish on Wednesday, Volyanskaya congratulated two of her skaters for his or her participation in U.S. Determine Skating’s nationwide improvement camp for a second consecutive yr. The three-day camp adopted the nationwide championships, which ran by means of Sunday, and is designed to assist U.S. Determine Skating higher establish and help younger expertise.

“So pleased with all their onerous work and coaching they’ve achieved to get right here,” Volyanskaya wrote alongside a photograph of herself with skaters Franco Aparicio and Everly Livingston.

− Tom Schad, USA TODAY

Contributing: Dinah Voyles Pulver and Nick Penzenstadler of USA TODAY; Dale Denwalt, Alice Mannette and Josh Kelly of the The Oklahoman