He Flight 5342 of American Airlinesthat departed from Wichita, Kansasbound for Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington DCbecame the stage of one of the most devastating air accidents in decades. He plane collided with a helicopter Before rushing to Potomac Riverleaving a balance of 64 victims fatal. Among the passengers were families, athletes, coaches and professionals who shared a routine trip, but ended in tragedy.
The accident struck especially to the world of Artistic skatingsince some of the passengers of the flight were linked to this sport. Among them were Spencer Lanea 16 -year -old, and his mother, Christine Lanewho returned from an elite development camp in Wichita.
Spencer had shared hours before addressing his enthusiasm for the experience lived in the event, where he learned “so much new information” that he could apply to his daily life, as reported The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
Rowan Le Coq, Spencer’s best friend, returned home before. He sent a message to his colleague to ask if “he was still in Dury.” He received a simple answer: “No, I’m leaving now.”
However, when he knew that 5342 flight of American Airlines He had collided with a helicopter, he hastened to verify the location of Spencer and sent a message: “I hope you’re well”but did not receive an answer. A day later he wrote: “I love you, never forget that.”
His father, Doug LaneI hoped to pick them up at the airport, but instead received the news of the accident, a blow that described as a moment of pure terror.
“I thought: ‘Oh my God’, and My heart began to explode in my chest”, Doug said in dialogue with a local television.
Flight 5342 not only transported athletes and their families, but also frequent professionals and travelers. Among them he was Elizabeth “Liz” Keysa 33 -year -old lawyer returned to Washington to celebrate his birthday. Liz had planned a special dinner with his partner, David Seidmanand his mother, Mary Keyshe had exchanged Messages of love With her before takeoff. However, these plans were interrupted by the tragedy.
Before the flight, his mother sent him a text message in which he wished him a “safe flight” and reminded him that he loved her with “all my heart.” Elizabeth replied: “I love you too.” Hours later, Mary contacted her daughter again: “Did you land?” He did not receive any response.
Another victim was Asra Hussain racea 26 -year -old health consultant who had approached the flight eager to return home with her husband, Hamaad race.
As reported by the media, Asra had reflected days before the unpredictability of life, expressing his desire to perform a religious pilgrimage. His last message to Hamaad, sent minutes before the accident, said: “We landed in 20 minutes.”
The plane also transported complete families, such as Justyna Beyer and his 12 -year -old daughter, Brielle, who had attended the skating championship in Wichita. They also traveled trainers like Vadim naumov and Shishkova EvgeniaRussian world champions converted into mentors, who left behind their son, Maxim Naumov, 23. Maxim, who had returned home days before, was orphaned after the accident.
Among the passengers were also Mikey Stovalla Maryland vapor installer returning from a hunting expedition in Kansas. Mikey had been in constant contact with his mother, Christina Stovall, during the flight, sharing her enthusiasm for returning home and planning a snowboard trip with her 11 -year -old son. However, his messages stopped abruptly, leaving Christina with the anguish of confirming the tragedy when verifying the flight number in the news.
“I don’t see the time to return home After a very long trip. We are in the air and (the pilot) said that we have a 160 km/h tail wind, so we could arrive an hour before, ”Stovall wrote. His mother replied that “was great.”
Arrival at the time of landing, Christina did not receive any message from her son. He asked if he was already on the ground, he explained during an interview with the local television station Wink. Then he decided to turn on the TV and verified his son’s flight number: AALL 5342.
