Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani are feeling the love.
Five months after 28 figure skaters, coaches and family members died on an American Airlines flight to Washington, D.C., that collided with a U.S. Army helicopter, the Olympic ice dancing partners detailed how the skating community has shown support for each other in the wake of the tragedy.
For Alex, being a shoulder to lean on for his fellow athletes affected by the crash—which killed all 67 people aboard both aircrafts—has come naturally, considering there’s already a strong foundation of community within the sport.
“There’s a fabric that connects generations, that connects athletes, both in the United States and around the world,” the 34-year-old exclusively told E! News at Team USA’s Nonna Experience on May 22, “and so in good times and tough times, that is something that we all lean on.”
And that backbone was built by a mutual admiration that exists among all of the athletes.
“It’s because we all admire and respect the work that goes into the sport that we love,” Alex continued, “and being able to share that with an audience and share that with each other is super special.”
As for Maia, the 30-year-old echoed her brother’s sentiment, emphasizing that she feels “proud to a part of the figure skating community.”
“I started skating when I was 4,” Maia told E!. “But as I’ve grown through the sport to get to know other generations of skaters, it just has become a larger family.”
And the Team USA siblings are taking that family mentality into their partner training as they gear up for the 2026 Winter Olympics—even if it means butting heads occasionally.
As Alex noted, “We do have different opinions on things. We do argue.”
Ultimately, their disagreements help them strengthen their performances on the ice.
“The best teams fight, and then the best teams work it out, and they communicate and they grow,” Alex said. “We have this special bond that a lot of families experience, but we just get to experience it on the ice.”
Of course, Alex and Maia aren’t the only members of the skating world who have showed their support amid the American Airlines tragedy. Back in February, over 30 skaters stepped out onto the ice at the Legacy on Ice event to perform tributes to those who were lost to the collision.
Among those to honor the victims were Maxim Naumov—whose parents were among those who died on board the aircraft—and U.S. champion Johnny Weir.
“When you’re an athlete, you’re taught to have ice in your veins and to push through anything that affects your community,” Johnny told People at the time of the impact the crash had on their community. “And ours is so small that even if you don’t know everybody, you know them all. They’re all family in some way.”
For more on the American Airlines collision, keep reading.
What Happened to the Passengers on American Airlines Flight 5342?
On the evening of Jan. 29, American Airlines flight 5342 traveling from Witchita, Kan., to Washington, D.C. collided with a United States Army Black Hawk helicopter near the Reagan Washington National Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed on X, formerly known as Twitter. The plane carrying 60 passengers and four crew members and the helicopter, which had three people aboard, crashed into the Potomac River.
The passenger jet, a Canadian-made Bombardier CRJ-700 series twin-engine jet, was operated by American Airlines’ subsidiary airline, PSA Airlines.
What was first a rescue mission became a recovery operation, with all 67 passengers in both aircraft being confirmed dead.
“Our hearts are with the victims’ families as they navigate this tragic loss,” Washington, D.C., officials shared in a statement Feb. 4. “We extend our deepest condolences and remain committed to supporting them through this difficult time.”
The National Transportation Safety Board, which is leading the investigation, is still putting the pieces together but said in an update that data from air traffic control showed the helicopter appeared to be higher than the 200-foot ceiling allowed for its route.
“This data showed the Black Hawk was at 300 feet on the air traffic control display at the time of the collision. the NTSB said in a Feb. 4 investigation update. “This data is rounded to the nearest 100 feet.”
Who Was Onboard American Airlines Flight 5342?
Among the 60 passengers were 28 American figure skaters, coaches and family members who were at a camp in Wichita, Kan., according to U.S. Figure Skating.
“These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships,” the governing body shared in a statement obtained by NBC News. “We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts.”
World champion Russian figure skating duo Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who wed in 1995, were also onboard, the sport’s governing body confirmed.
Hamaad Raza, whose wife was also on the American Airlines flight, was waiting for her at the international airport.
“I’m just praying that somebody’s pulling her out of the river right now as we speak,” he told CBS affiliate WUSA9. “That’s all I can pray for. I’m just praying to God.”
Soon-to-be Howard University School of Law professor Kiah Duggins was also a passenger on the flight. The university shared that the civil rights attorney, who earned her J.D. from Havard Law School, was set to join Howard’s faculty this fall.
Who Was Onboard the U.S. Army Helicopter Involved in the Collision?
The helicopter was from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion out of Davison Army Airfield in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Public Affairs Deputy Director for Joint Task Force-National Capital Region/Military District of Washington Ron McLendon II confirmed to NBC News.
The official shared that the aircraft was in the middle of a training mission at the time of the collision.
The passengers onboard were identified as Capt. RebeccaLobach, 28, Chief Warrant Officer AndrewEaves, 39, and Staff Sgt. RyanAustinO’Hara, 28.
What Happens Next After Recover Efforts for American Airlines Flight 5342?
The FAA, U.S. Army and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the collision, with the latter taking the lead. The Pentagon has also initiated its own investigation.
While there are still more questions than answers, former NTSB and FAA investigator Jeff Guzzetti told Today that the air traffic control communications that night are “going to be scrutinized by the NTSB, that controller will be interviewed and the radar data will be looked at by the NTSB.”
As of Feb. 4, NTSB investigators are continuing to transcribe the cockpit voice recorders for both aircraft, they confirmed in an update. The NTSB, in collaboration with the Naval Sea Systems Command Supervisor of Salvage and Diving , are continuing to recover the wreckage from the Potomac River.
Who Has Spoken Out After American Airlines Flight 5342 Crashed Into the Potomac River?
President Donald J. Trump shared his condolences about the tragedy.
“I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport,” the White House statement said. “May God Bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.”
Ilia Malinin, the men’s figure skater who won his third consecutive U.S. figure skating title in Witchita Jan. 26, confirmed he was not onboard the flight. He wrote on his Instagram Stories, “I hope and pray for everyone who was on that flight is OK.”
Wichita Mayor Lily Wualso expressed her grief, saying at a press conference that their “hearts are heavy as a city.”
“We mourn with all those who have been impacted,” she said. “This is a terrible tragedy that will unite those in Washington, D.C., and Wichita, Kansas, forever.”
Two-time Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan shared an emotional message to reporters about the crash that claimed the lives of six skaters from Skating Club of Boston, where the athlete also formerly trained.
“I just wanted to be here and be part of our community,” Kerrigan said through tears. “When you find out you know some of the people on the plane, it’s an even bigger blow.”
