D.C. Plane Crash Leaves Two Ice Skating Sisters Gone Too Soon

The United States is still shaken by the worst aviation disaster in decades. Sixty-seven people died in the tragic plane crash in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday night, including two young sisters, Everly and Alydia Livingston, and their parents, Donna and Peter.

The Livingston family was among the many victims of this heartbreaking event.


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According to WTAJ, a Pennsylvania-based news station, Donna and Peter Livingston and their daughters Everly, 14, and Alydia, 11, were on American Airlines Flight 5342. Everly and Alydia were talented figure skaters and members of the Washington Figure Skating Club, as reported by Daily Mail. They practiced at the Ashburn Ice House in Virginia, a popular place for local skaters.

Just days before the crash, their father took a photo of the girls in Kansas — a cherished memory of their passion for life and skating.

The sisters loved skating beyond the rink and were known as the “Ice Skating Sisters” on social media.

Their last Instagram post was shared just five days before the crash. It showed the sisters smiling at a skating championship, proudly wearing their ‘athlete’ lanyards. The caption read, “If you look closely at Alydia’s badge… We were born ready for this. But is @usfigureskating ready for this much Livingston at Nationals?”

Last year, 13-year-old Everly spoke to FOX 5 DC about her growing success in figure skating. She shared her dreams of being part of Team USA and traveling the world. “My goals are to actually be a part of Team USA and travel around the world,” she said, smiling brightly.

Family Friend Remembers

U.S. Figure Skating confirmed that several members of their community were on the flight, and tributes began pouring in. A growing memorial at Ashburn Ice House reflects the deep impact of the tragedy. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to all affected,” the Ashburn Ice House’s management shared. “The figure skating community is a close-knit, worldwide family, and our hearts are broken.”

The Nittany Valley Figure Skating Club also expressed their sadness on social media, saying: “Many of us have lost personal friends. We will hold a moment of silence at our next Club Ice in honor of those we’ve lost.”

Cassandra Atkins, a designer from Australia, created custom skating outfits for the girls through her business, Frozen Couture. Though she never met the family in person, she often communicated with Donna, sharing photos and videos of Everly and Alydia.

Donna worked at Comcast, and Peter was a real estate agent. They were known as devoted parents, always balancing the demands of raising two skaters while traveling between New Jersey, Michigan, and Virginia for competitions.

“Donna was the perfect mom,” Atkins shared with WFLA. “The girls were her world. They loved bright, standout outfits and always brought so much joy to the ice.”

Atkins also shared that even off the ice, the sisters couldn’t stay still. “If they weren’t skating, they were roller skating—or they’d put wheels on their boots. They always found a way to move.”

Deadliest Air Disaster in 24 Years

The crash occurred when an American Airlines plane collided with a military Black Hawk helicopter during a training exercise. The commercial plane, preparing to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport, spiraled into the Potomac River after the collision. It became the deadliest U.S. air disaster in almost 24 years.

Many people on board the plane, which was traveling from Kansas, were part of the figure skating world — including athletes, coaches, and their families. The Skating Club of Boston confirmed that six of its members, including World Champion pair skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, were victims.

Ice rinks across the U.S. East Coast are now mourning the loss of their skaters.

As investigators work to figure out what caused the crash, communities across the country are grieving the loss of Everly, Alydia, and the many others whose lives were tragically cut short. Their vibrant spirits and love for skating will never be forgotten.