Dad of Rising Figure Skating Star Killed in DC Plane Crash Speaks Out: He Was a 'Force of Nature'

A plane crash near Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night left at least 67 people dead, including 16-year-old rising figure skating star Spencer Lane and his mother, Christine. Spencer's father, Douglas Lane, is remembering him as a fearless competitor with a bright future stolen too soon.

"In his home club in Boston, he was just loved by everyone from the adults running the club to the smallest skaters, to the people that are competing for a shot at the Olympics, they all just adored him," Douglas Lane told WPRI.

The tragic crash involved American Airlines Flight 5342, which was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members when it collided midair with an Army Black Hawk helicopter and its three crew members near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. No one aboard either aircraft survived.

Douglas and Christine Lane had adopted Spencer and his brother Milo from South Korea, building a family rooted in love and ambition. Spencer, a freshman at Barrington High School, left traditional schooling to dedicate himself fully to figure skating, a sport where he was rapidly ascending in skill and recognition.

"Our entire Barrington community mourns with the Lane family, the Skating Club of Boston, and all who knew and loved Christine and Spencer Lane. Spencer was a talented and driven young athlete with a bright future, and this is an unimaginable loss," Barrington Superintendent of Schools Robert Wargo said in a statement.

"He was rocketing to the top of the sport," Doug Zeghibe, CEO of The Skating Club of Boston, said.

Among the victims were six with ties to The Skating Club of Boston, including Spencer and 13-year-old skater Jinna Han. Han's mother, Jin Han, as well as skating coaches Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, were also killed. The skating community, still mourning the massive loss, has expressed an outpouring of grief and support.

Christine Lane, remembered as a vibrant and creative person, had a passion for graphic design and photography.

"For Christine, just the amount of people from the community in Rhode Island I've already heard from today that she's touched," Douglas Lane said. "Whether it was screening them to adopt the dog that they loved or helping them with a summer project or whatever, she was just one of those people that could just kind of plug in anywhere, connect with people and build a real bond."