Ice Skater Weeps After Tribute Performance In Honor Of Parents Killed In DC Plane Crash
on Mar 02, 2025
Victims of January’s tragic mid-air collision in Washington, D.C., were honored Sunday with a figure skating event in the nation’s capital.
One month has passed since 67 people were killed when an American Airlines passenger jet was struck by an Army helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Among those who died were 28 members of the figure skating community who were returning from the 2025 Figure Skating Championships.
RELATED: VICTIMS IDENTIFIED IN TRAGIC DC PLANE CRASH
Skaters, parents, and coaches were listed among those who perished in the tragic crash. On Sunday, surviving family members and numerous other skating community members gathered for Legacy on Ice. According to the event website, Legacy on Ice served as a fundraiser for victims’ families, first responders, and others affected by the tragedy.
“All proceeds will be collected by the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation and equally distributed to the U.S. Figure Skating Family Support Fund, Greater Washington Community Foundation’s ‘DCA Together Relief Fund’ and DC Fire & EMS Foundation,” the website reads.
The show aired on Peacock and was hosted by Olympic gold medalists Brian Boitano and Kristi Yamaguchi. It featured performances from World Champions and Olympic medalists, as well as family members of those who perished.
One of the most emotional moments of the afternoon was when Maxim Naumov took the ice.
Naumov’s parents, 1994 World Champions Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, were aboard the American Airlines flight that crashed on January 29. The 23-year-old carried two white roses onto the ice and placed them on a table at the edge of the rink.
He started his performance by grasping invisible hands on either side of his, as if he was skating with his parents. Maxim fell to the ice when his performance concluded and burst into tears. The crowd reacted with a standing ovation and lots of tears.
“There was not a dry eye to be found anywhere,” pairs skater Madison Chock said.
A similar moment came when 13-year-old Isabella Aparicio, performed in honor of her brother, Franco, and their father Luciano.
About Maxim Naumov
Maxim Naumov is a gymnast-turned-ice skater who is the son of World Champion Russian figure skating team, Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova.
Naumov is a three-time U.S. national medalist and the 2020 U.S. junior national champion. Just days before his parents were killed, Naumov earned a 4th place finish at the 2025 U.S. Championships. Their final social media post was expressing their pride over his accomplishment.
Watch Maxim Naumov’s emotional performance in honor of his parents in the video below.
