Home / Sports / Olympian Naumov's Parents Died in Tragic Plane Crash
Olympian Naumov's Parents Died in Tragic Plane Crash
9 Oct
Summary
- Olympic figure skater Maxim Naumov lost his parents in a plane crash.
- His parents, also Olympians, died in a mid-air collision in January 2025.
- Naumov competed in the 2026 Olympics, honoring his late parents' legacy.
Olympic figure skater Maxim Naumov has spoken about the profound loss of his parents, who died in a devastating plane crash on January 29, 2025. The tragedy occurred when American Airlines Flight 5342, carrying 67 people, collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C.
His parents, Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, were accomplished Russian-born figure skaters who competed in the 1992 and 1994 Olympics. They later immigrated to the U.S. and coached at the Skating Club of Boston.
Naumov represented the U.S. at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, a bittersweet achievement he pursued throughout his life. He described the experience as "bittersweet," expressing a desire to share his success with his parents.
On the show "Special Forces," Naumov shared his final conversation with his mother, who told him she was proud and loved him, just before the fatal flight. He is dedicated to honoring their legacy through his skating achievements.
