U.S. confirms skaters in crashed plane

The U . S. Figure Skating Association (U. S. Figure Skating) confirmed on Jan. 30 that several skaters were aboard the plane that crashed near Washington, D.C.

"The U.S. Figure Skating Association can confirm that several members of our figure skating community were unfortunately on board American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a helicopter this evening in Washington," the organization said in a statement.

The RIA Novosti news agency reported, citing American's John Maravilla, that at least 14 figure skaters were aboard the plane, as well as world figure skating champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.

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On the night of January 30, an American Airlines passenger jet and a Blackhawk military helicopter collided near Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC.

According to CBS News, at least 18 bodies were found at the site of the plane crash. The search continues. It is noted that on board the fallen American Airlines plane were 60 passengers and four crew members. In the helicopter was three military.

US President Donald Trump called terrible airplane crash that occurred in Washington. He said that the tragedy could have been avoided if the helicopter crew had changed course.

Also on January 30, the manager of world figure skating champion Ilya Malinin Ari Zakaryan said that there could have been skaters of Russian origin on board the plane that crashed in Washington.