In a tragic incident on January 29, 2025, American Airlines flight 5342 collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., resulting in the loss of 60 passengers and four crew members. Among the victims were 12-year-old Brielle Beyer and her mother, Justyna, 42. Brielle, a cancer survivor diagnosed at just four months old, was returning from the U.S. Figure Skating National Development Camp in Wichita, Kansas. She was a dedicated member of the Skating Club of Northern Virginia and had recently achieved her goal of making the team. 

Andy Beyer, Brielle’s father, was at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport with their 6-year-old son, awaiting the arrival of Brielle and Justyna. As the plane’s scheduled landing time passed without contact, Andy noticed emergency vehicles on the tarmac. His concern grew when he couldn’t reach his wife and daughter via text messages. An air traffic controller friend then informed him that their flight had crashed. Andy described Brielle as a “fighter” who “lived life to the fullest” and expressed his pride in her accomplishments, including her progress in figure skating. 

In the wake of this tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign was established to support Andy and his son, raising over $11,000 as of January 31, 2025. The campaign described Justyna as a “devoted mother” who “sacrificed so much to provide for Brielle’s future as an Olympic … .”