NewsLocal News

Actions

Friends, family across country remember growing list of victims of plane collision tragedy

Posted
and last updated
Aircraft Down

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Crews in Washington D.C. continued their work Friday morning recovering the bodies of victims who died in the Wednesday night collision of an American Airlines jet and a military helicopter that plunged both into the Potomac River.

Elsewhere across the country, family and friends of the victims started the process of remembering their loved ones.

This list will be updated. If you have information or need to provide an update, contact us by e-mail.

Edward Zhou, Kaiyan Mau and Yu (Joe) Zhou

Zhou family.png
Zhou family

Skater Edward Zhou and his parents Kaiyan Mau and Yu (Joe) Zhou were among those on the American Airlines flight returning from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships when the plane crashed on final approach in Washington D.C.

Friend Brian McMurry has established a GoFundMe page for the family.

"My wife, my son, and I are devastated beyond words by the tragic loss of our friends and neighbors Edward Zhou and his parents Kaiyan Mao and Yu (Joe) Zhou," McMurry wrote on the page.

Robert Prewitt

Prewitt family.png
The Prewitt family

Friends say Robert Prewitt was returning home to his family when the American Airlines flight crashed, leaving behind his wife Belinda and daughters Daisie and Dalila.

"The girls had been raving all week at the gym about 'daddy coming home from work and would be there when they woke up,'" Cheer Extreme Calvert owner Allyson Jankowski wrote on a GoFundMe. "Sadly, we all know Robert didn't make it home to Belinda and the girls."

Steve Johnson

Steve Johnson.png
Steve Johnson

"We are devastated to share that our dear friend, Steve, tragically lost his life aboard flight #5342. He was one of the best people we had the privilege of knowing. He was always willing to lend a hand, help someone in need, and always the first to pick up the phone when his friends or family called," family members wrote on a GoFundMe post. "Steve lived life to the fullest and loved his wife, Bridget, fiercely. They were inseparable, sharing a love and partnership that was truly special. They were each other's rock in life. Now, as she faces a future without him, we want to come together as a community to support her and his family in this unimaginable time of loss."

Dustin Miller

Dustin Miller.png
Dustin Miller

Audra Rogers said her friend, Dustin Miller, was among the passengers on board American Airlines flight 5432.

Rogers described Miller as a dedicated Kansas City Chiefs fan who lived in El Dorado, Kansas.

"As his mother was dropping him off at Dwight D. Eisenhower Airport in Wichita, he said he wanted to be sure to make it back home in time watch the Chiefs play in the Superbowl," Rogers wrote on a GoFundMe post. He even purchased a plane ticket for his brother Jon to fly in to Kansas from Arizona so they could all watch the game at home with their mom and dad.

Capt. Rebecca Lobach

rebecca lobach.jpg
Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach

The U.S. Army announced Capt. Rebecca Lobach as one of the three crew members on board the military helicopter that collided with American Airlines Flight 5342.

Her family provided the following statement:

We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Rebecca. She was a bright star in all our lives. She was kind, generous, brilliant, funny, ambitious and strong. No one dreamed bigger or worked harder to achieve her goals.

Rebecca began her career in the United States Army as a distinguished military graduate in ROTC at the University of North Carolina, and was in the top 20% of cadets nationwide. She achieved the rank of Captain, having twice served as a Platoon Leader and as a Company Executive Officer in the 12th Aviation Battalion, Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. With more than 450 hours of flight time, she earned certification as a pilot-in-command after extensive testing by the most senior and experienced pilots in her battalion.

Rebecca was a warrior and would not hesitate to defend her country in battle. But she was as graceful as she was fierce: in addition to her duties as an Army aviator, Rebecca was honored to serve as a White House Military Social Aide, volunteering to support the President and First Lady in hosting countless White House events, including ceremonies awarding the Medal of Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Rebecca cared about people, and she extended to individuals the same fearless defense she gave to this nation. She was proud of the difference she made as a certified Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Victim Advocate and hoped to continue her education so she could serve this country as a physician when her time with the Army ended. She once said, "My experiences with SHARP have reinforced my resolve to serve others with compassion, understanding, and the resources necessary for healing."

Rebecca was many things. She was a daughter, sister, partner, and friend. She was a servant, a caregiver, an advocate. Most of all, she loved and was loved. Her life was short, but she made a difference in the lives of all who knew her. Our hearts break for the other families who have lost loved ones in this national tragedy and we mourn with them.

We request that you please respect our privacy as we grieve this devastating loss.

Peter, Donna, Alydia and Everly Livingston

Inna Volyanskaya

PJ Diaz

PJ Diaz was among those on board American Airlines Flight 5342 when it collided with a military helicopter Wednesday.

"I don't post often, but my heart is broken and reaching out for prayers for me and my family," PJ's mother Linda Diaz wrote on a GoFundMe post. "My son PJ was on the flight to D.C. that crashed. Please pray God gives us strength to get through this devastating time. I love you PJ and always will."

PJ Diaz.png
PJ Diaz

Jonathan Boyd

Jonathan Boyd.png
Jonathan Boyd (right) was on board the American Airlines flight that crashed.

Jonathan Boyd was among a group of seven hunters who were returning to Washington D.C. after a hunting trip in southwest Kansas when the plane crashed Wednesday night.

Boyd leaves behind his wife Kristie Baxter and his 11-year-old son, Reed.

“Today has been unimaginable for Reed as he grapples with the loss of his father, who was not only his hero but also his mentor,” Ryan Mazeska wrote on a GoFundMe post.

Olesya Taylor and Olivia Eve Ter

Olivia Eve Ter and Olesya Taylor.png
Olivia Eve Ter (left) and Olesya Taylor

Friends of Olesya Taylor and her daughter Olivia Eve Ter say the pair were among the passengers on board the American Airlines flight.

"Olesya was a loving mother of two, and Olivia, who just recently won fourth place at the U.S. Ice-Skating Eastern Sectionals, were proudly returning from the 2025 US Figure Skating National Development Camp when this unimaginable accident occurred," Alla Levin wrote on a GoFundMe poston behalf of Andrew Ter.

Tommy Clagett

Clagett Family.png
The Clagett family

Tommy Glagett was among the group of hunters returning to Washington D.C. at the time of the crash.

Family friends say he leaves behind his wife Jill and their two daughters, Zoey and Alania.

"Tommy found joy in hunting with friends, spending time on the river and cheering on his daughters from the sidelines of the soccer field," friends wrote on a GoFundMe post. "his kindness and unwavering support created a strong network of family and friends."

Lindsey Fields

Lindsey Fields.png
Butler County Community College biology instructor Lindsey Fields

Butler County, Kansas, Community College officials confirmed Friday that biology instructor Lindsey Fields was among the passengers on board American Flight 5342.

A school spokesperson described Fields as “a colleague, friend and educator.”

“We owe her much gratitude for sharing her light with us and we will forever feel this loss,” spokesperson Kelly Snedden said. “We send much love and support to her family and friends during this most difficult time.”

Friends have established the Lindsey (Carter) Fields Memorial Science Scholarship in her memory. You can learn more here.

Kiah Duggins

Kiah Duggins.png
Kiah Duggins

Larry Strong, executive director of Miss Augusta and Miss Butler County (Kansas) posted to Facebook Thursday about Kiah Duggins as one of those who died in the crash.

Duggins was also a civil rights attorney. Her family told NBC News that they are “coming to terms with the grief associated with the loss of our beautiful and accomplished firstborn.”

Kiah's sister, Aisha, posted a tribute on a GoFundMe page.

"Kiah was more than a scholar and activist - she was a beloved sister-friend, a source of inspiration, and a beacon of grace and integrity," Aisha wrote. "She made you want to be smarter, kinder, and bolder. Her presence challenged everyone around her to step into their most fearless, compassionate selves."

Cory Haynos, Roger Haynos and Stephanie Haynos

Haynos family.png
Haynos family

Olga Garrity, a friend of Emily Haynos, has established a fundraising page following the loss of Roger, Stephanie and Cory Haynos, who were aboard the American Airlines flight that crashed.

Alex Huffman

Alex Huffman.png
Alex Huffman

Alex Huffman was among the passengers on board the American Airlines flight that crashed, leaving behind his wife Kayla and children Rowen and Hadley.

"Alex was the love of Kayla's life, an amazing father to Rowen and Hadley, and a best friend to many," organizer Katherine Darnell wrote on a GoFundMe. "His laugh was contagious, and he was always there if you needed him."

Luciano and Franco Aparicio

Lucho Aparicio.png
Luciano Aparicio

Luciano (Lucho) and Franco Aparicio were among the passengers aboard the American Airlines flight.

Friend Sara Casey has organized a GoFundMe for the pair.

Grace Maxwell

Grace Maxwell.png
Grace Maxwell

The moments Grace Maxwell had shared with her grandfather over the years had been “his greatest joy.” And a trip home to Wichita, Kansas, had allowed the 20-year-old to be by his side one final time.

Maxwell, a mechanical engineering major, was returning to college just a day after her grandfather’s funeral when she and 66 others were killed in Wednesday’s collision between an American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter over Washington, D.C.

Spencer Lane, Christine Lane, Jinna Han, Jin Han, Evgenia Shishkova, Vadim Naumov

Aircraft Down Figure Skaters
This recent handout photograph provided by The Skating Club of Boston shows club skater Spencer Lane, who died in an airplane collision with a helicopter on Jan. 29, 2025 in Washington. (The Skating Club of Boston photograph via AP)
Aircraft Down Figure Skaters
This recent handout photograph provided by The Skating Club of Boston shows club skater Jinna Han, who died in an airplane collision with a helicopter on Jan. 29, 2025 in Washington. (The Skating Club of Boston via AP)
APTOPIX Aircraft Down Figure Skaters
A rose rests near the names of figure skating coaches Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov on a commemorative wall Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, at the Skating Club of Boston in Norwood, Mass. The two former world champions who were coaching at the historic Boston club were among the members of the skating community killed when an American Airlines flight collided with an Army helicopter Wednesday, Jan. 29, and crashed into the Potomac River. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

The Skating Club of Boston announced Thursday the deaths of six people affiliated with the club.

Ice skaters Spencer Lane and Jinna Han had just completed competing in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships that were hosted this month in Wichita.

Spencer’s mother Christine, and Jinna’s mother Jin were all on board the flight that crashed.

Coaches and former Russian Olympic skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were also on board.

“It’s just hard, you know? To the family - the skating family - that all these people have been harmed in some way by this tragedy,” said Melissa Gregory, a former Olympic ice dancer with her husband, Dennis Petukhov. “There were so many young, up-and-coming-bright stars that were on that plane, and amazing coaches that were coaching bright stars. We’re going to be feeling this for a long time.”

Pargentino Malabed Jr.

A fellow passenger on the flight, Pergentino Malabed Jr., was more than 8,000 miles (12,875 kilometers) and 13 time zones from his home in the Philippines. But as the head of supply management for his country’s 232,000-officer national police force, Malabed had traveled to Wichita for the equipment inspection.

“His untimely passing is a profound loss to the Philippine National Police, where he served with honor, with integrity and dedication throughout his career,” the national police said in a statement.

Wendy Shaffer

Shaffer Family.png
Wendy Shaffer (left) husband Nathan Shaffer (right) and their two boys.

In Charlotte, North Carolina, friends of Wendy Shaffer struggled to explain the loss of the vivacious mother whose two young sons were her pride and joy.

“Her love, kindness, and unwavering spirit touched everyone who knew her,” friends of the family wrote on a fundraising site. “And her absence leaves a void that can never be filled.”

Bob and Lori Schrock

Kansas couple killed in DC crash
Kansas couple killed in DC crash

Kansas natives Bob and Lori Schrock were also on that flight. Friend Michael Simpson remembered his last message to Bob.

“Love and respect and appreciate both of you all very much,” said Simpson. “And all he said was Lori and I are blessed to know you and are looking forward to catching up when we get back. The biggest heartbreak we have been praying about is their daughter. Because I can’t imagine how lonely that’s going to feel.”

Elizabeth Keys

Elizabeth Keys.png
Elizabeth Keys

Cincinnati native Elizabeth Anne Keys, 33, was valedictorian of her high school class before attending Tufts University and Georgetown University Law Center. Her family said Keys worked at Wilkinson Stekloff, a law firm with offices in D.C., at the time of her death.

"Beyond being an excellent lawyer, Liz brought fearlessness, humor, and sharp wit to work every day no matter the setting or circumstances," Wilkinson Stekloff said in a statement.

Melissa Jane Nicandri

Melissa Jane Nicandri, 28, from New York, was “everything that anyone could hope for with a daughter,” her family told CNN in a statement confirming their unfathomable loss.

“We are devastated by the sudden loss of Melissa,” the Nicandri family said. “Melissa had an adventurous spirit and will be missed forever.”

Nicandri was “beautiful, smart, funny, kind and generous,” her family said, expressing their desire for space during their time of mourning.

Asra Hussain

Hamaad Raza, wife of victim Asra Hussain, told NBC's Lester Holt that he was waiting at the airport to pick up his wife when he saw emergency vehicles and couldn't get texts through to Hussain, who had previously been texting him off of the plane's Wi-Fi. He checked X at that point and saw what was happening.

Asra-Hussain-ae-250130-fc559f.webp
Asra Hussain

“I was going to pick her up from departures like I always do ... I always pick her up from departures, and I always help her load the bag into the car and give her a big hug and a kiss and and then off we go,” Raza told Holt. “I had dinner waiting at home.”

Jesse Pitcher

Jesse Pitcher.png
Jesse Pitcher

Family friends have created a GoFundMe for Jesse Pitcher, one of the passengers of the American Airlines flight that collided Wednesday.

His sister, Jenna Holiday, wrote that the family has "always put others before themselves."

Angela Yang and Lily Li

Angela and Lily Yang.png
Angela (left) and Lily Yang

"With a heavy heart, we want to share with our community the sudden and tragic passing of Zheheng (Lily) Li and Angela Yang, beloved mom and sister of Tiki and Miller Wu, wife and daughter of Jianjun (Jacob) Wu," Tiki Wu wrote on a GoFundMe page for Angela Yang and Lily Li.

Tiki wrote that Angela was a skater and had recently completed an undefeated season in juvenile combined solo dance and juvenile combined dance with her partner, Sean Kay.

Yulia and Ilya (Sean) Kay

Yulia and Ilya Kay.png

Friends of Yulia Kay and her son Ilya Kay said the pair were on board flight 5342 when it crashed in Washington D.C.

Anna Ulyanova and Danila Ulyanov said in a GoFundMe post that Ilya was one of the top dancers in the country in his age group and dreamed of making it to the Olympics.

"Yulia was an incredible mother who lived for her children," the pair wrote. She spent her days taking them to training, helping them fight for their dreams, and worked nights as a nurse to pay for ice time, costumes, travel, and coaches. She gave everything she had for their future.

Alexandr (Sasha) Kirsanov

Alexandr (Sasha) Kirsanov.png
Alexandr (Sasha) Kirsanov

Alexandr (Sasha) Kirsanov was among those killed on American 5342.

"In his many years with Ice World, Sasha coached, mentored, and made such an incredible impact not only on our young skaters but also on so many who knew and loved him," The Black Bear Sports Group wrote on a GoFundMe page for Kirsanov. His absence will be felt deeply, along with the loss of so many others, with so much promise and life to live, from our ice skating community.

Sasha is survived by his wife, Natalya Gudin, another well-loved skating coach, and their 18-year-old daughter Nicole.

Justyna Beyer and Brielle Beyer

Justyna and Brielle Beyer.png
Justyna (left) and Brielle Beyer

In a GoFundMe post, family members of Justyna Beyer and her daughter Brielle said they were "heartbroken to share the devastating loss of 12-year-old Brielle and her beloved mother, Justyna, who both tragically died in the recent Washington, DC, plane crash.

Their absence leaves an irreplaceable void in the hearts of family and friends, and we are reaching out to our community for support during this incredibly difficult time."

The family continued that, "Brielle was a bright light, carried a charming smile, and was known for her endless commitment to achieving goals. She had dreams as big as the sky, with a passion for figure skating. Justyna, a devoted mother, exhibited unconditional love and support towards her two children and loving husband. She sacrificed so much to provide for Brielle's future as an Olympic figure skater."

Casey Crafton

Casey Crafton.png

Friends of Casey Crafton say the husband and father of three was among those on board Wednesday night's crash.

"Casey was flying home on January 29th, 2025, from Wichita, KS, with a layover in Washington, DC. The aircraft he was aboard struck a military helicopter, and it has been presumed that all 64 passengers aboard the airplane and all 3 aboard the helicopter did not survive, which means Casey would be leaving behind his wife as well as their 3 children," Will Macpherson wrote on a GoFundMe.

Mikey Stovall

Mikey Stovall.png
Mikey Stovall (left) was among those who died Wednesday night.

Friends and family said in a GoFundMe post that Mikey Stovall was among those on board the American Airlines flight that collided Wednesday night.

"Our hearts break for this wonderful, caring, and loving family," fund organizers Calvin Rice and Tony Roberts wrote. "A family that has always put others before themselves and a family more than deserving of our love and generosity during this extremely difficult time."

Sam Liley

Sam Lilley
In this photo provided by Kaitlin Marie Sells, Sam Lilley, left, pilots a small airplane that took off from Savannah, Ga., on Aug, 6, 2022, for a flight to reach the 1,500 flight hours required for Lilley to begin training to become an airline pilot. (Kaitlin Marie Sells via AP)

Sam Lilley knew he wanted to fly and began training to be a pilot, like his father, right out of college.

“You don’t really expect to meet people that find their purpose so early on in life, and Sam found his in flying," said Kaitlin Sells, who met Lilley while they were students at Georgia Southern University.

Lilley was the first officer aboard the American Airlines jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members when the jet and an Army helicopter carrying three soldiers collided in midair Wednesday night, legislators in Georgia said.

Jonathan Campos

Jonathan Campos.png
American Airlines Flight 5342 pilot Jonathan Campos

The captain of the American Airlines flight was 34-year-old Jonathan Campos, according to a statement from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. His aunt, Beverly Lane, told The New York Times that Campos had wanted to be a pilot since the age of 3.

“I think he wanted to be free, and be able to fly and soar like a bird,” Lane said.

Heidi Thomson has established a GoFundMe.

Danasia Elder

Danasia Elder was a flight attendant on the commercial flight, WSOC-TV in Charlotte, North Carolina, reported.

Elder’s brother-in-law, Brandon Payne, described her as “full of life,” highlighting her love for God, her kids and travel. She was married with two children, Kayden and Dallas.

Iam Epstein

Ian Epstein, 53, was a flight attendant on the American Airlines flight involved in the deadly collision, his sister, Robbie Bloom, confirmed to CNN.

“My brother was a wonderful, wonderful man. He loved life. He loved traveling. He loved his job. He loved his family. And he will be sorely missed,” Bloom said.

Epstein, who had been a flight attendant for several years, leaves behind two children and two stepchildren, according to Bloom.

Ryan O'Hara

Ryan O'Hara
Ryan O'Hara

Ryan O'Hara was one of three soldiers aboard the Black Hawk helicopter.

“Ryan was just the most committed, disciplined person I remember working with,” said Josh Muehlendorf, a senior instructor pilot in the U.S. Army. “He had such great integrity.”

The two flew together numerous times on the same route in D.C. several years prior to the fatal crash and O’Hara took rules and procedures seriously, according to Muehlendorf.

“Ryan was one of those crew chiefs who always had our back,” he said.

Andrew Eaves

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said on the social platform X that the state was mourning the death of Andrew Eaves, who was also aboard the Army helicopter.

Eaves was from the small town of Brooksville in eastern Mississippi, Reeves said.

His wife, Carrie Eaves, confirmed he was on the helicopter in a Facebook post Thursday.

“We ask that you pray for our family and friends and for all the other families that are suffering today. We ask for peace while we grieve,” the post read.

She also asked that people refrain from posting negative comments on social media.

“These families children do not need to suffer more pain,” she wrote.

7 hunters

Fowl Plains, a Great Bend, Kansas-based outdoor and sporting goods company, posted Thursday on Facebook that seven hunters who had just completed a hunting trip were among those on board the flight.

“Please pray for the families, friends and for our 3 other hunters in the group who were driving home,” the post read. “Heartbroken is an understatement.”

Four United Association pipe fitters

The Associated Press, CNN and NBC News contributed reporting to this story.