“Skater’s Close Call: How a Missed Flight Saved Him from a Tragic Collision”

In a twist that sounds like something out of a thriller movie, a figure skater recently revealed he narrowly escaped a horrifying fate by missing an ill-fated American Airlines flight that collided with a U.S. military helicopter above Washington, D.C. Imagine the surreal realization of being slated for a journey that turned deadly—it’s almost too much for the mind to comprehend! Around 9:00 PM local time, the passenger jet, operating as American Airlines Flight 5432, tragically crashed into a Black Hawk chopper as it descended toward Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, ultimately plunging into the Potomac River. With 64 lives aboard the flight, including renowned figure skaters and three army personnel, the casualty toll is devastating. Fortunately, Jon Maravilla, a promising American figure skater, found himself on the wrong side of a size restriction—his dog prevented him from boarding—ultimately sparing his life. As grieving families grapple with this tragic event, the figure skating community comes together to mourn, leaving us to ponder: how fragile is life, and how a mere twist of fate can change everything? LEARN MORE

A figure skater has revealed that was supposed to be on the doomed American Airlines fight which collided with a US military helicopter above Washington D.C.

At around 9.00pm local time on Wednesday (Thursday 2am GMT) a PSA Airlines jet – operating as American Airlines 5432 – collided with the Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

It’s understood the passenger jet had been approaching the airport’s Runway 33 to land when the crash occurred, with the American Airlines flight and helicopter subsequently falling into the nearby Potomac River.

It is currently believed that all 64 people onboard the passenger and three soldiers have died in the accident.

Amongst the 64 people onboard Flight 5432 were numerous senior figure skaters, including former Russian champions Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.

American figure skater Jon Maravilla has now revealed that he was scheduled to be a passenger on the flight, which departed from Wichita, Kansas but was ultimately unable to board the aircraft.

According to a report from PEOPLE, Maravilla revealed on his Instagram stories that he wasn’t able to check-in due to size restrictions which prevented his dog from being able to board.

“Not allowed past gate to board flight,” he wrote in the story, later confirming that he would driving from Kansas to D.C.

Maravilla would later confirm to Russian news agency RIA Novosti there was around ’14 figure skaters’ onboard the flight excluding parents and coaches.

“Such a tragedy,” he added, before declining to confirm the names of any passengers.

US figure skating has since confirmed that athletes, coaches and family members were onboard Flight 5432 following the completion of a National Development Camp held in conjunction with the US Figure Skating Championships.

One of the stories Jon shared prior to the collision (Instagram/@Jon_Maravilla)

“We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available,” the US governing body for figure skating added in a statement. Russian state media separately confirmed that Shishkova and Naumov were onboard. The couple’s son Maxim and former USSR skater Inna Volyanskaya may have also been on the flight.

Meanwhile Robert Isom, head American Airlines, has shared his ‘deep sorrow’ over the collision and confirmed that he will be heading to Washington DC ahead of an investigation into the crash.

This is a difficult day for all of us at American Airlines and our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, partners, first responders, along with their families and loved ones,” he said in a statement.

“Members of our Go Team will be on their way to Washington, D.C., and I’ll be heading there shortly as well.”