Officials now believe there are no survivors from the devastating mid-air collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday evening.
The tragedy has claimed the lives of numerous individuals, including members of the U.S. figure skating community, a young professional returning from a work trip, a newly engaged pilot, and several others.
According to CBS News, 26-year-old Asra Hussain Raza was aboard the ill-fated flight while returning home from a business trip. A graduate of both Indiana University and Columbia University, she had recently moved to Washington, D.C., with her husband for a consulting job.
Among the American Airlines crew members confirmed dead are Captain Jonathan Campos and First Officer Samuel Lilley. Lilley, 29, was recently engaged and just months away from a promotion to captain. Flight attendants Ian Epstein and Danasia Elder were also among the casualties.
The U.S. figure skating community is mourning the loss of several members. The Skating Club of Boston confirmed that 1994 world champion pair Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were aboard the flight. Additionally, skater Jinna Han and her mother, Jin Han, also perished. Christine Lane and her son, Spencer Lane, both figure skaters, were also among the victims, according to CNN.
The bodies of all three soldiers aboard the Black Hawk helicopter have been recovered, the Associated Press reported. However, their identities have not yet been released.
Several victims were former students of Loudoun County Public Schools. In a statement, the district’s superintendent expressed deep sorrow, saying, “This unimaginable loss has deeply affected our community, and with great sorrow, we have learned that multiple victims were former LCPS students.”
Authorities are still working to identify all victims. In total, 67 people are presumed dead following the tragic collision.