Fairfax County's Ilia Malinin Took Same Route As Deadly Crash 2 Days Before

VIENNA, VA — After winning his third U.S. figure skating title in a row, Fairfax County graduate Ilia Malinin took an American Eagle flight from Wichita, Kansas to Washington Reagan National Airport. Two days later, a flight on the same route crashed with a helicopter, leaving no survivors.

The American Eagle Flight 5342 flight had 60 passengers and four crew members, while three military members were aboard the Army helicopter. A number of the plane passengers were young figure skaters and their families and coaches. Some of the nation's top young figure skaters were participating in a national development camp in Wichita following the U.S. championship.

In response to the deadly crash, Malinin told USA Today some of those killed in the plane crash were friends.

"It's really heartbreaking," Malinin told USA Today. "And it's truly sad that you know these kids are really inspired and looking forward to becoming a better skater and just trying their best to push themselves and having this happen, it's a tragedy."

See the full story from USA Today.

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• Fairfax Figure Skaters, Families Among Those Killed In DC Plane Crash