Olympic couple identified in horror plane crash

Two world champion figure skaters are among dozens of casualties killed after a passenger plane carrying 64 people collided with a military Black Hawk helicopter in the US. 

The mid-air crash happened about 9pm US Eastern Time on Wednesday (1pm Thursday AEDT), when the aircrafts collided and crashed into the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport in Washington DC. 

As officials confirmed that rescue efforts had shifted to a recovery operation, two of the first victims identified were Russian Olympians and married couple Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.

Their son, Maxim Naumov, 23, is also feared to have been on board.

Shishkova, 52, and Naumov, 55, won the pairs title at the 1994 world championships and competed at the Winter Olympics twice.

It is believed the family were returning home after Maxim had been competing at the US figure skating championships in Wichita, Kansas.

Russia’s Mash news outlet published a list of 13 skaters, many of them the children of Russian emigres to the US, who it said were believed to have been on the plane.

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed their death to reporter, saying, "Unfortunately, we see that this sad information is being confirmed. There were other fellow citizens there. Bad news today from Washington."

"We are sorry and send condolences to the families and friends who lost those of our fellow citizens who died in the plane crash."

The bodies of three US soldiers have also been recovered from the river as the recovery operations remains ongoing. 

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said at this stage it wasn't known why the two aircrafts collided.

"I want to express my sincere condolences for the accident that happened at DCA last night," he said.

"We're absolutely heartbroken for the family and loved ones of the passengers and crew members, and also for those that were on the military aircraft."

According to Jonathan Koziol, chief of staff for Army aviation, the helicopter crew "very experienced" and had flown the nighttime route countless times before. 

US President Donald Trump addressed the devastating crash in the White House, located about five kilometres away from the fatal crash site.

"As one nation, we grieve for every precious soul that has been taken from us so suddenly," Trump said.

"We'll find out how this disaster occurred and will ensure that nothing like this ever happens again."

Image credits: Instagram