Attorney, Figure Skating Community Members Reported Dead After Plane Crash

Attorney, Figure Skating Community Members Reported Dead After Plane Crash

The tragic plane crash near Washington, DC this past week claimed the life of former Miss Kansas contestant and aspiring law professor Kiah Duggins, along with 66 others.

Key Insights

  • American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter, resulting in 67 fatalities.
  • Kiah Duggins, a civil rights attorney and former Miss Kansas contestant, was among the victims.
  • The crash is considered the deadliest airline accident on U.S. soil in over two decades.
  • Fourteen members of the figure skating community, including skaters and coaches, were also on the flight.
  • The cause of the collision remains unknown, with recovery operations concluding after the retrieval of at least 40 bodies.

Tragic Loss of Life in Washington DC Crash

In a devastating incident that has shocked the nation, American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, DC, resulting in 67 fatalities. The crash, which occurred on January 30, 2025, is considered the deadliest airline accident on U.S. soil in over two decades. Among the victims was Kiah Duggins, a former Miss Kansas contestant and civil rights attorney who was preparing to embark on a new chapter in her career as a law professor at Howard University.

The collision involved 64 people on the plane and three personnel on the helicopter. Recovery operations have concluded, with at least 40 bodies retrieved from the Potomac River. As families and communities grapple with the sudden loss of their loved ones, the cause of this tragic accident remains unknown, leaving many questions unanswered.

Remembering Kiah Duggins: A Rising Star in Law and Advocacy

Kiah Duggins, a young attorney with a passion for civil rights, was among the victims of this tragic accident. Duggins had gained recognition as a top 10 finalist in the Miss Kansas pageant in both 2014 and 2015. Her untimely death has left a void in the legal community and among those who knew her.

Larry Strong, a representative of the Miss Augusta and Miss Butler County organization, expressed his sorrow, saying, “It is with heavy heart that the Miss Augusta and Miss Butler County organization just learned that Kiah Duggins Miss Butler County 2014 [and] 2015 was a passenger in the plane that crashed last evening in Washington DC.” Strong also said that Duggins was “preparing to be a law professor at Howard University in the fall.”

A Cross-Section of American Lives Lost

The crash also reportedly claimed the lives of individuals from various walks of life, including top figure skaters from the US and Russia, a young pilot, flight attendants, and even a lawyer traveling on her birthday. Fourteen members of the figure skating community, including skaters Jinna Han and Spencer Lane, their mothers, and coaches, were on the flight after attending a development camp.

Among the other victims named were Grace Maxwell, a mechanical engineering student at Cedarville University, described as “a thoughtful, quiet student leader” with “a keen interest in helping others through engineering.” Bob and Lori Schrock, a couple from Kiowa, Kansas, were remembered for their kindness and community focus. Sam Lilley, a 28-year-old American Airlines pilot, and Ian Epstein, a 53-year-old flight attendant, were also among those who are reported to have lost their lives.

A Nation in Mourning

As the nation comes to terms with this tragedy, the impact of the loss is being felt across various communities. Multiple former students from Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia were among the victims, further deepening the sense of loss in that area. The figure skating community, in particular, has been hit hard, losing not only promising young athletes but also experienced coaches.

As investigations into the cause of the crash continue, the nation mourns the loss of these 67 individuals, each with their own stories, dreams, and impact on their communities. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing our loved ones.

Sources

  1. Teenage skaters, a young pilot and a professor – the victims of DC plane crash
  2. Families, communities identify victims killed in plane crash near D.C. airport
  3. Former Miss Kansas contestant, aspiring Howard law professor among DC plane crash victims