A close family friend of a Virginia family tragically ki**ed in a mid-air collision involving American Airlines Flight 5342 is sharing heartbreaking photos taken just before takeoff.
Joyful Moments Before Disaster
On January 29, Donna Livingston captured joyful moments before tragedy struck. One photo shows her daughters—14-year-old Everly and 11-year-old Alydia—smiling in their seats. Another features Donna and her husband, Peter, taking a selfie just before departure.
These images were shared with longtime family friend Jin Ah Longerbeam, who received them before learning about the cr*sh.
The Livingston Family’s Journey
The flight was returning to Virginia from Wichita, Kansas, where the girls attended an elite ice skating camp for Olympic hopefuls. Longerbeam described Everly and Alydia tearfully as “my little babies,” emphasizing the deep void their loss has left.
Her son, Wolfe Jin, trained alongside the sisters and remembered them as bright stars in the skating community. “They were loved by everyone,” he told reporters, adding that their presence inspired younger skaters.
Desperate Wait at the Airport
When news of the crash broke, Longerbeam and Wolfe rushed to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. They held on to hope, bringing coats in case the girls survived and were cold. “Wolfe kept saying, ‘They’re gonna be cold, we have to make sure they’re warm,’” she recalled, facing the heartbreaking reality.
Everly and Alydia Livingston inside the American Airlines Flight 5342, Photo Credit: Jin Ah Longerbeam/Facebook
A Father’s Devotion
Ted Boyke, another close family friend, painted a picture of Peter Livingston as a devoted father. “His daughters meant the world to him,” Boyke said. Peter’s dedication showed in his efforts to build a backyard ice rink. Every winter, he laid down a tarp and built a homemade rink for his daughters to practice—especially during COVID lockdowns when public rinks closed.
Tragic Loss of All Onboard
The crash claimed all 67 lives aboard—60 passengers, four crew members, and three U.S. Army soldiers in a Black Hawk helicopter that collided with the plane. As of January 31, authorities recovered 41 remains, identifying 28.
Passengers included families traveling together, flight attendants, and a group of hunters returning from a trip.
Investigation and Possible Causes
While investigators continue to examine the cause, aviation experts suggest the Army helicopter may not have seen the jet before the collision. An anonymous active-duty Army helicopter pilot pointed to human error as a likely cause, stating, “I guarantee it was basically pilot error.”
A Nation Mourns
As the nation grieves this devastating tragedy, friends and loved ones struggle to cope with the immense loss. The Livingston family’s final moments—captured in simple photos—now serve as a heartbreaking reminder of a journey that never reached its destination.
