Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding calls loss in airline collision ‘absolutely devastating’

Aviation expert Jay Ratliff discusses the American Airlines crash in Washington on ‘America’s Newsroom.’

Two-time U.S. Olympian Tonya Harding joined many others in the figure skating community to speak out after it was revealed that several members of U.S. Figure Skating were among the victims feared dead following an American Airlines collision with an Army helicopter late Wednesday night. 

Harding, who had joined X just a day earlier, posted a message in response to the "devastating" news that 67 people on board American Airlines Flight 5342 and a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter were killed during a collision near Reagan Washington National Airport, near D.C., at around 9 p.m. local time. 

Figure Skater Tonya Harding of the United States competes in a figure skating competition circa 1992. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) (Focus on Sport)

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"The events that took place last night in Washington, DC are absolutely devastating," Harding’s post read.  

"I'm being told that several professional figure skaters were aboard the flight as well. Sending my love and prayers to all the victims and their families." 

First responders recovered at least 28 bodies from the icy waters of the Potomac River on Thursday. Officials said there were 64 people on board the commercial flight, including four crew members. Three soldiers were aboard the helicopter.  

FIGURE SKATING COMMUNITY MOURNS VICTIMS OF DEADLY PLANE CRASH COLLISION: ‘AT A LOSS FOR WORDS’ 

A U.S. Park Police helicopter flies over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Arlington, Va.   (Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)

"We don’t believe there are any survivors," John