The final messages from Russian figure skaters to their son before the American Airlines plane crash

By
Monica Pop
-

Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, Russian champion figure skaters who won the World Figure Skating Championship in Pairs in 1994 were among the passengers on American Airlines Flight 5342 that clashed with an U.S. Army helicopter on Wednesday, at around 9 p.m.

USA Figure Skating revealed that several other members of its skating community were also on board.

The skaters, their coaches and relatives were returning from the National Development Camp held in Wichita, Kansas.

Vadim Naumov and son Maxim

“We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts,” the statement by the USA Figure Skating read.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available.”

Shishkova and Naumov’s son, 23-year-old Maxim, was also part of the camp and many feared that he was also on board, but a teammate, Anton Spiridonov, claimed he left Wichita on Monday and didn’t fly together with his parents.

“I wasn’t on the flight. People I knew, I think, were,” Spiridonov said. “Maxim Naumov was not on board – he left Wichita on Monday.

“He was at the airport with me, going through security at the same time.”

Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov

As per Sankt-Peterburgskie Vedomosti, Russia’s oldest newspaper, the couple sent their son a message, writing how proud they were of his accomplishment and edning on the fourth place in a competition help days prior to the crash.

“We are proud of you, Maxim,” the couple wrote in a social media post. “He climbed to the podium at the Nationals after seventh place in the short program. This beautiful and emotional performance is the result of teamwork. Maxim has earned his place in the team of champions of four continents.”

The couple moved to the United States from the Russian city of Leningrad in 1998, where they became coaches.

Olga Yermolina, a spokesperson for Russia’s figure skating league, told Zvezda that there were no active Russian figure skaters on Flight 5342.

“We have to wait for the official lists,” Yermolina said.

“These are people with other passports who once performed or trained with the USSR or Russian national team, but now they are US citizens.”

DC’s fire and emergency medical services chief John Donnelly said they believe all of the 64 passengers that were on board are believed to be dead.

“We don’t believe there are any survivors from this accident and we have recovered 27 people from the plane and one from the helicopter,” he said.

Further, the Potomac river, where the plane plummeted, had recently frozen, making it extremely difficult for police divers and boats to search the water for bodies.

Officials expect the operation to last for several days.

Please SHARE this article with your family and friends on Facebook.

Bored Daddy

Love and Peace

A Renowned Pilot Speaks Out on Deadly Collision

By
Bryan Seal
-

I nearly dropped my phone when I saw the headline: Hero pilot Captain Sully shares terrifying theory on why DC plane crash happened. If there’s anyone whose opinion I trust about aviation disasters, it’s Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger—the man who famously landed a passenger jet on the Hudson River back in 2009 and saved 155 lives. This time around, Sully’s concerns center on nighttime flights over water, which he suspects might have played a tragic role in the recent collision near Washington, D.C.

Night Flight Complications

According to Sully, the crash that took 67 lives might have stemmed partly from poor visibility when flying over a dark body of water. He noted that fewer ground lights reflecting off water at night can make spotting other aircraft much tougher. As he explained, “All you can see are the lights on them,” which makes determining relative altitude and distance incredibly challenging. Some might question whether an air traffic controller should have stepped in—but as Sully points out, if the pilots see each other and confirm visual contact, the controller can briefly hand over separation duties to them. Sadly, something went horribly wrong.

Hero Pilot Captain Sully Shares Terrifying Theory on Why DC Plane Crash Happened

Sully also spoke on Good Morning America, where he reiterated that at least one pilot had visual contact but still lost the required distance for a safe flight path. When those last lines of defense fail, it’s reminiscent of “dominoes lined up the wrong way,” to use Sully’s words. With nighttime flights, any small lapse can become catastrophic. The fact that Hero pilot Captain Sully shares terrifying theory on why DC plane crash happened should make every airline and pilot re-examine their protocols—especially around busy airports like Reagan National, known for short runways and nearby air traffic.

Runway Pressures and Staffing Challenges

One area of concern emerging from the incident is staffing in the control tower at Reagan National Airport. Some reports mention that the controller responsible for guiding helicopters near DCA was also handling departures and arrivals. Sully noted that because DC’s airport is so close to other airfields—and has such short runways—pilots need specialized training to operate there safely. Pair these complexities with chronic understaffing, and it’s easy to see how the scenario for a midair collision could develop.

Hero Pilot Captain Sully Shares Terrifying Theory on Why DC Plane Crash Happened… and Why It Must Be Addressed

For the first time since crash-landing in the Hudson River, Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger returns to the cockpit of US Airways jet flight 1549 at the Carolinas Aviation Museum Friday, November 18, 2011. Todd Sumlin – [email protected]

Investigators have recovered the black boxes from the submerged wreckage in the Potomac River—offering a glimmer of hope that the final minutes before the crash can be pieced together. A preliminary report already suggests the tower was stretched thin, with the same person talking to both helicopter and plane pilots. Sully’s warning underscores that nighttime flight, water reflections, and possible staffing shortages might have aligned to create the perfect storm. Whenever I recall that Hero pilot Captain Sully shares terrifying theory on why DC plane crash happened, I can’t help but think: if even he’s rattled by these conditions, we should all be paying attention.

Lessons from the Miracle on the Hudson

Sully’s experience is practically legend by now. When his plane lost both engines after a bird strike in 2009, he managed a safe water landing on the Hudson River, miraculously saving everyone onboard. He’s since been a vocal advocate for safety reforms, pilot training, and thorough incident investigations. If the aviation world heeds his warnings about the recent D.C. crash, maybe future disasters can be prevented. But as Sully puts it, “Any lapse could potentially be fatal, even though we have a lot of safety.”

Please SHARE this article with your friends and family on Facebook.

Bored Daddy

Love and Peace

A Tragic Midair Collision: My Inside Look at the Disaster Rocking Washington

By
Bryan Seal
-

I was stunned the moment I heard news of the plane crash near Washington DC—it’s the first major commercial aviation catastrophe the United States has witnessed since 2009. The collision, which occurred on January 29, 2025, involved a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. As rescue teams sprang into action, the frigid temperatures and strong currents in the Potomac River added to the heartbreak, slowing down any chance of a quick recovery.

The Aircraft, the Timing, and the Chaos

American Airlines Flight 5342 took off from Wichita, Kansas, carrying 64 people—60 passengers and four crew members. It was supposed to land at Reagan National Airport around 9 p.m. But at 8:53 p.m., local authorities started getting frantic calls about “an aircraft crash above the Potomac River.” Meanwhile, the Black Hawk helicopter was on a training mission for the 12th Aviation Battalion, based at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. These soldiers specialize in rapid transport and emergency operations around the National Capital Region. Ironically, the same skills they practice might have come into play for this rescue if they hadn’t been directly involved in the accident themselves.

A Midair Collision Caught on Camera

Air traffic control audio reveals that just before the tragedy, the tower instructed the helicopter pilot to keep clear of the incoming jet. The pilot acknowledged the command, confirming visual contact. However, seconds later, stunned voices from the control tower signaled a catastrophic impact. Videos from EarthCam and eyewitness footage show the plane and helicopter erupting into a fiery collision. One bystander, Ari Schulman, said he was driving home when he saw the aircraft tilt sharply—a full 90 degrees—before sparks lit the sky. Moments later, everything went dark. That’s how quickly this plane crash near Washington DC turned a routine evening flight into a disaster.

Reagan National Shuts Down

With one of America’s busiest airports at a standstill, 19 incoming flights were diverted to Dulles International Airport. Officials soon confirmed that both the helicopter and the passenger jet had plunged into the Potomac. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser spoke at a press conference, emphasizing that the focus was on finding survivors. Families anxiously waited for updates at a support center set up by American Airlines, where counselors did their best to offer comfort. In the midst of it all, one man, Hamaad Raza, revealed he lost contact with his wife just before the collision. He simply prayed someone was “pulling her out of the river right now.”

Racing Against Time in Icy Waters

Nearly 300 first responders, along with the FBI’s Washington Field Office dive team, converged on the river in near-freezing conditions. According to D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly, crews were braving chilling temperatures, strong currents, and floating ice. With water hovering around 35°F, hypothermia is a real threat—on top of the typical challenges of a nighttime rescue. Gasping reflexes can kick in within seconds of hitting such cold water, making the situation downright harrowing for anyone who might have survived the initial crash.

Reflecting on Past Disasters

It’s jarring to realize this plane crash near Washington DC marks the first major U.S. commercial aviation disaster since Colgan Air Flight 3407 in 2009, which took 49 lives. While there have been other serious accidents—like the 2013 Asiana Airlines crash in San Francisco and a 2018 Southwest Airlines engine failure—none had resulted in such widespread calamity for a commercial flight until now. Seeing those helicopters scanning the Potomac with their searchlights reminded me of news reels from older tragedies—except this one is happening right here in real time.

The Road Ahead

NTSB investigators are on the case, but so far, few details about the precise cause have been released. People speculate about human error, mechanical failures, or breakdowns in communication. Right now, that’s all just guesswork. For the families awaiting word on their loved ones, the focus is on immediate answers, not speculation. Back in Wichita, a city prayer vigil has been planned for noon on January 30, inviting the community to come together in support of those impacted by the crash. This display of unity feels critical: if there’s one thing we’ve learned from these tragedies, it’s that empathy and togetherness can at least offer a bit of solace in the midst of heartbreak.

For me, the real gut-punch is how normal everything seemed until it wasn’t. One minute, a flight is simply on approach, the next—lives are turned upside down. In the end, the plane crash near Washington DC reminds us that life is fragile, and the simplest instructions—like “pass behind the CRJ”—can become the difference between a safe landing and a national tragedy.

Please SHARE this article with your friends and family on Facebook.

Bored Daddy

Love and Peace

Figure skater final photo from plane before horrible crash in Washington

By
Monica Pop
-

Among the passengers on board the American Airlines Flight 5342 were six members of the figure skating group.

The plane that was flying from Wichita, Kansas to Washington DC. crashed at around 9 p.m. on Wednesday night and plummeted into the icy Potomac river. 

It was reported that it carried 60 passengers and four crew members, while the U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, also involved in the crash, carried three members of the military.

Daily Mail reported that everyone abroad is feared dead at this point.

Spencer Lane, a figure skater involved in the deadly plane crash, documented his trip from the National Development Camp he and the rest of the members were returning from.

The young man’s final post on Instagram showed a photo from inside the plane with the caption, “ICT -> DCA,” codes standing for Wichita’s Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport and Reagan National.

Figure skater Spencer Lane @spencerskates26 / Instagram

The names of the rest of the members of the Skating Club of Boston in Norwood, Massachusetts, were announced by the club.

They are: Jinna Han, Jin Han, Spencer Lane, Christine Lane, Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova.

Naumov and Shishkova won the World Figure Skating Championship in pairs in 1994. Their son was also part of the skating camp, but it has not yet been revealed whether he was among the passengers on the tragic flight.

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
</div&amp;amp;gt;
 
=
“background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);”> 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by U.S. Figure Skating (@usfigureskating)

Doug Zeghibe, the head of the skating club, released a statement about its members, who are believed to be aboard.

“Our sport and this Club have suffered a horrible loss with this tragedy. 

“Skating is a tight-knit community where parents and kids come together 6 or 7 days a week to train and work together. Everyone is like family. 

“Of the skaters, coaches and parents on the plane, we believe six were from The Skating Club of Boston. We are devastated and completely at a loss for words.”

John Donnelly, Washington, DC’s fire and emergency services chief, said, “Despite their efforts, we are now at a point where we are switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation. At this point, we do not believe there are any survivors from this accident.”

According to a statement shared on X by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet was approaching Runway 33 at the airport when it collided with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter in mid-air. “PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines,” the FAA added.

According to President Trump’s first statement, the PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional plane was making a regular and accurate approach to the airport. 

“It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn. Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane [sic],” Trump’s statement added.

In an interview with TV host Sean Hannity, Karoline Leavitt, the White House Press Secretary, emphasized the seriousness of this crash.

“I can confirm that President Trump has been made aware of the situation, and tragically, it appears that a military helicopter collided with a regional jet at DCA airport right here in Washington, D.C.,” Leavitt said.

“That’s all I can confirm at this point in time, and I can just say that the thoughts and the prayers of the entire Trump administration are with all those that are involved, and we ask the public in this area to please stand by for guidance from law enforcement and allow them to do their jobs as they attempt to save lives right now.”

Our thoughts and prayers go to the families who lost their loved ones in this horrific plane crash.

Please SHARE this article with your family and friends on Facebook.

Bored Daddy

Love and Peace

My ex-husband broke into my house at night while my daughter and I were asleep – then, I suddenly heard her scream

By
Monica Pop
-

Being married to Liam was emotionally and financially draining. When I tried to talk to him one night, and asked him to try and change for the sake of our daughter, he casually asked for divorce and soon enough, he was my ex-husband.

However, the things that led to our separation haunted me long after. I couldn’t understand how could someone be so selfish the way Liam was.

He only thought of himself and his little whims he was trying to satisfy with our shared finances.

One time, when our daughter Danielle asked me to take her to ballet classes, I decided to cut some of the costs and provide her with the opportunity. Those who had their kids attending these classes know just how expensive they are.

Pexels

And then, just as I was about to call the academy, Liam came home and told me he invested all of our money on a cripto currency his friends assured him would make him rich over night.

As expected, that turned out to be just a scam that left us broke.

“Liam, you can’t keep doing this, you know that,” I told him one day. But he started yelling and accused me of not believing in him.

Honestly, he was right. I didn’t believe in his plans of making money without having a regular job. So, he asked for divorce, and once I became aware that he didn’t care about being a good husband and father, I agreed.

Luckily, Danielle and I got to keep the house which I inherited from my grandfather.

Midjourney

Since the divorce, Liam hadn’t contacted me. It seemed like he wasn’t interested to know how our daughter was doing either.

And then, one night, while Danielle and I were asleep, someone broke into the house. I heard my daughter’s loud screams and rushed to her room.

She was shaking. “Mom, that man had a crowbar. I think it was… dad.”

Danielle’s words felt like a sharp knife. “Are you sure, honey?” I asked her. With teary eyes, she said, “Yes, mom. It was dad. But his eyes looked scary.”

I couldn’t believe my ex-husband was capable of something like that.

Midjourney

The following morning, I noticed that some of Danielle’s jewelry was missing. It wasn’t much, just a tiny necklace and a pair of earrings my mom and dad gave her when she was born.

Afraid that Liam could do the same thing agin, I asked my mom to take Danielle at her place for some time. In the meantime, I installed security cameras that detected movement. I would receive a notification whenever a movement was detected directly on my phone.

The weeks that followed were calm, and then one night, I received a notification about movement at the front door.

Pexels

Without hesitating, I called 911. “Someone entered my home. Please send help.”

While I was waiting for the police to arrive, I crept down the stairs. I moved passed the kitchen and entered the laundry room. It was then that I realized the person, whom I suspected was my ex-husband, was in the garage.

As I pushed the door, I noticed a person wearing black and having a crowbar in his hand trying to push down the shelf with the tools.

“Liam!” I called his name.

He froze and looked at me. He was wearing a mask, but I could recognize his eyes from a mile away.

Midjourney

“What do you think you are doing?” I asked.

He didn’t say a word, just started walking towards me.

Scared, I rushed towards the other side of the garage and pushed the button that opened the door.

Just as my ex-husband tried to run away, two police officers told him to freeze and drop the crowbar.

I approached him, wanting to know what he was after.

“You stole your own daughter’s jewelry, what else do you want?” I asked, fueled with anger.

Liam looked at me and said that while he was packing, he noticed a safe behind one of the shelves and wanted to see what was inside.

Midjourney

“A safe?” I asked. I had never noticed the safe Liam was talking about, but now as I knew it existed, I was eager to learn what was inside.

The following morning, I contacted a locksmith who opened the safe. Inside, there weren’t any gold bars or jewelry, just neatly placed bank documents.

It turned out my grandpa had deposit boxes where he kept his fortune, and they were all registered to me.

When I faced my ex-husband in the courtroom, where I testified against him for breaking into my home, I thanked him for telling me about the safe.

“Thanks to you, I am now a rich woman,” I said as I smiled at his face. “And you? I really hope your time in prison would teach you a lesson.”

Please SHARE this article with your family and friends on Facebook.

Bored Daddy

Love and Peace

12-year-old dies after fatal allergic reaction to milkshake

By
Monica Pop
-

Milkshake made in a dirty blender containing traces of nuts led to the tragic death of 12-year-old schoolgirl Mia-Shay St Hilaire, who suffered severe allergic reaction.

Her devastated parents say the tragedy could have been easily avoided had the London café followed safety regulations. This only added to their heartbreak.

As per BBC, Mia-Shay, who was allergic to tree nuts, visited the Pop Inn Café on Southwark Park Road, South-East London, and ordered milkshake. However, they prepared her order in the same blender they had previously made a drink containing almonds and hazelnuts.

Mia-Shay was rushed to the hospital where she sadly passed away.

The incident took place on August 30, 2023.

Pexels

Southwark Council’s food safety team launched an investigation in order to determine the circumstances preceding Mia-Shay’s fatal allergic reaction. They concluded that the blender used wasn’t washed before making Mia’s milkshake. As a result, traces of the nuts remained in it and ended in Mia’s drink.

CCTV footage from the café showed the worker, Baris Yucel, 47, failing to clean the blender.

The failure to follow the safety regulations directly contributed to the severe allergic reaction and the young girl’s passing.

On December 2024, Yucel admitted six criminal charges relating to the young girl’s tragic passing. Some included failure to provide allergen information for customers, failure to prevent cross-contamination during food preparation and serving food containing an undisclosed allergen.

Croydon Magistrates’ Court fined him £18,000 and gave him a 100-hour community order.

Mia-Shay’s parents said, “We think of Mia every day and knowing her death could potentially have been prevented so simply, only adds to how heartbroken we are as a family.

“We hope this conviction and fine sends a loud message to businesses serving food and drinks across the country, of the devastating consequences of failing to take food safety seriously.”

Yucel’s lawyer said “a day does not go by when he does not think about the child and her family.”

We are so very sorry for this devastating loss.

Please SHARE this article with your family and friends on Facebook.

Bored Daddy

Love and Peace

Choir begins singing ‘Lone Ranger’ theme with backs to the crowd

By
Monica Pop
-

If you believe a classical piece of music can’t have a touch of comedy added, then you’ve probably missed the masterpiece performance by the choir at Timpanogos High School.

These young people’s rendition of the classical The William Tell Overture, or widely known as the Lone Ranger, composed in the early 1800s by Gioachino Rossini, has long been talked about.

The memorable performance started with the members of the choir delivering the overture in perfect acappella before turning their backs to the crowd, with one of the singers facing the crowd, pretending she had forgotten the moves.

YouTube

This brought laughter from the audience, who were likely unaware of the show that was about to unfold before their eyes.

Just seconds later, the male members, dressed in formal attires, started their hilarious antics. They started galloping across the stage on imaginary horses and it wasn’t long before the girls joined them in and sent the audience into laughter.

YouTube

The carefully planned choreography, combined with humor and precision, shows that the choir perfectly rehearsed the show. It not only intended to entertain the audience but also to take the internet by storm.

As the finale of the performance approached, the members of the choir received a loud applause.

This is without a doubt one of the most unforgettable shows. It is definitely worth watching.

Please SHARE this article with your family and friends on Facebook.

Bored Daddy

Love and Peace

Inside the Harrowing Collision: How a Routine Flight Ended in Tragedy

By
Bryan Seal
-

I still can’t believe the American Airlines plane crash audio that’s been circulating—it’s downright chilling. One moment, everything seems business as usual, and the next, two aircraft collide in midair, sending pieces of wreckage into the frigid Potomac River. Hearing the distressed voices and shocked gasps made it all feel painfully real.

A Catastrophe at Reagan National

The nightmare unfolded near Reagan National Airport, forcing an immediate shutdown of all operations until at least 11 a.m. ET. Officials say the American Airlines commuter jet, Flight 5342, had 60 passengers and four crew on board. Meanwhile, a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter with three soldiers was on a routine training flight. By the time rescuers arrived, both were submerged in the freezing river. At the time of reporting, there were no confirmed survivors, and families clung to hope while the world watched in shock.

Mayor Muriel Bowser addresses a press conference in Washington, D.C., on January 30, 2025, to discuss rescue efforts following a midair collision between an American Airlines plane and a U.S. Army helicopter. | Source: Getty Images

What the Recordings Reveal

Radio chatter picked up by air traffic control captures every tense moment, shedding light on how this disaster may have happened. First, you hear a controller ask the Black Hawk crew, “PAT 2-5, do you have the CRJ in sight?” and shortly after, “PAT 2-5, pass behind the CRJ.” Moments later, the helicopter pilot radios back, requesting “visual separation.” Then comes the unmistakable gasp—caught forever on tape—hinting at the exact moment of impact. It’s the kind of split-second chaos the American Airlines plane crash audio brings to life, and it’s frightening to imagine.

Aftermath and Disbelief

Following the collision, another pilot confirmed he saw flares around the Potomac. An approach controller added, “Both aircraft are in the river, a search and rescue is underway.” Hearing that still gives me goosebumps. Reagan National essentially froze, with flights diverted and passengers left in limbo. American Airlines set up a center inside the airport for loved ones of those on Flight 5342, offering what little comfort they could muster. Meanwhile, first responders battled icy waters in a desperate attempt to recover victims.

Frustration from the Top

US President Donald Trump speaks with Allyson Phillips, mother of Laken Riley, and John Phillips, Laken’s stepfather, just before signing the Laken Riley Act in the East Room of the White House, Washington, D.C., on January 29, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform, venting frustrations over how this could have happened on a clear night with the plane’s lights in full blaze. He questioned why the helicopter didn’t adjust altitude or alter its path, and criticized air traffic control for “asking if they saw the plane” instead of giving explicit instructions. The president’s words captured the sentiment of many: How could a routine flight path end in such a tragedy? It’s a question that may take investigators months to answer, if ever.

The Bigger Picture

Press members gather near the site where a regional plane collided midair with a military helicopter and plunged into the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., on January 30, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

Shocking as it is, this crash is just one in a string of aviation disasters in recent memory. A helicopter collided with a radio tower in Houston back in October 2024, reminding us how quickly things can go wrong in the skies. The American Airlines plane crash audio underscores how even small moments of confusion or miscommunication can have devastating outcomes. Investigators will no doubt scrutinize these tapes frame by frame, second by second, to uncover the exact series of events that led to this heartbreak.

Why It Matters

For me, the haunting air traffic recordings serve as a stark reminder that no amount of technology or training can entirely eliminate human error. If there’s any consolation, it’s that these tapes will help aviation experts learn valuable lessons to prevent similar tragedies. Still, that’s small comfort for the families left reeling—and for everyone who heard that gasp echo across the control tower frequency.

Please SHARE this article with your friends and family on Facebook.

Bored Daddy

Love and Peace

1...848586...893Page 85 of 893