Figure Skater Shares Unlikely Events That Kept Him From Boarding Flight That Collided with Black Hawk Helicopter

Jon Maravilla, an American figure skater, was supposed to be on American Airlines flight 5342 but was barred from the flight. He planned to fly from Wichita to Washington, D.C., but could not get on board because of his dog. According to People, Jon spoke to the Russian news agency RIA and shared an incredible story. He said he and his dog could not board the plane due to restrictions, so the figure skater opted to drive back to Washington D.C, avoiding the crash.

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According to People, Jon shared his frustration on his Instagram Stories, which fan page @fs.delight shared. On his Instagram Stories, Jon shared the moment, per the figure-skating fan page @fs.delight, “Not allowed past gate to board flight,” alongside multiple facepalm emojis. “Get me tf out of Kansas, please.”

Tragically, he learned a short time later that the airplane crashed into a United States Army helicopter over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

According to CBS News, there were 60 passengers aboard American Airlines flight 5342 and four crew members. Among them, top figure skaters from the United States and Russia died in the plane crash. Thus far, 27 bodies have been recovered.  

U.S. Figure Skating provided a statement to People that reads in part,

“U.S. Figure Skating can confirm that several members of our skating community were sadly aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a helicopter yesterday evening in Washington, D.C.. These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas,” they added.

“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.”

Jon told RIA the crash was “Such a tragedy” but declined to share the names of victims out of respect for their families.

This story’s featured image is by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images.