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Figure Skater Max Naumov Carries Tragic Legacy to 2026 Olympics
Naumov lost his parents in the devastating 2025 plane crash that killed 28 members of the figure skating community
Published on Feb. 10, 2026
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Every figure skater on the U.S. Olympic team carries the trauma of the plane crash that rocked their community one year ago, none more than Max Naumov. Naumov's parents, Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, died in the crash, and he'll carry the burden of the tragedy for the rest of his life starting with the 2026 Olympics in Milan.
Why it matters
The 2025 plane crash that killed 28 members of the figure skating community, including Naumov's parents, was a devastating tragedy that rocked the sport. Naumov's journey to the Olympics is a story of resilience and perseverance in the face of unimaginable loss.
The details
On January 29, 2025, American Airlines Flight 5342, bound from Wichita to Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., collided with a Black Hawk helicopter on its final approach, sending both aircraft plunging into the Potomac River. All 64 passengers and crew aboard the flight were killed, as were all three crewmembers on the helicopter. The crash was the deadliest on American soil since November 2001, and the skating community suddenly had to reckon with devastating loss.
- On January 29, 2025, American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a Black Hawk helicopter and crashed into the Potomac River.
- One year later, Max Naumov qualified for the 2026 Olympics in Milan.
The players
Max Naumov
A figure skater who qualified for the 2026 Olympics in Milan, despite losing his parents, Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, in the 2025 plane crash.
Vadim Naumov
Max Naumov's father, who died in the 2025 plane crash.
Evgenia Shishkova
Max Naumov's mother, who died in the 2025 plane crash.
Doug Zeghibe
The CEO of the Skating Club of Boston, which lost several members in the 2025 plane crash.
Heather Nemier
The president of the Washington Figure Skating Club, which also lost members in the 2025 plane crash.
What they’re saying
“They just, you know … they kind of lit up the rink. They were always people you look forward to seeing skate.”
— Heather Nemier, President, Washington Figure Skating Club (Yahoo Sports)
“Being able to see him push through even the thoughts of whether or not he wanted to continue skating, that was inspirational. I'm very proud of him.”
— Jimmy Ma, Fellow Skater (Yahoo Sports)
What’s next
The NTSB report on the crash found that it was 100% preventable, and issued dozens of safety recommendations to the FAA, the Army, and other government agencies to address the longstanding issues in the D.C. airspace that led to the tragedy.
The takeaway
Max Naumov's journey to the 2026 Olympics is a testament to the resilience and strength of the figure skating community, which has come together in the wake of the devastating 2025 plane crash that claimed the lives of 28 of its members, including Naumov's own parents. Their legacy lives on through the determination and perseverance of skaters like Naumov, who continue to pursue their dreams in the face of unimaginable loss.
