A close family friend of the Virginia family killed in the tragic mid-air collision involving American Airlines Flight 5342 is speaking out, sharing heartbreaking photos sent just before takeoff.
Taken on January 29 by Donna Livingston, the images show joyful moments before disaster struck. One photo captures her daughters—14-year-old Everly and 11-year-old Alydia—smiling in their seats, while another features Donna and her husband, Peter, taking a selfie just before departure.
The Livingston Family Christmas Photo, Photo Credit: Jin Ah Longerbeam/Facebook
Jin Ah Longerbeam, a longtime family friend, received the photos from Donna before the flight’s tragic end. The plane, traveling from Wichita, Kansas, to Virginia, was returning home after the girls had attended an elite ice skating camp for Olympic hopefuls.
Heartbroken over the loss, Longerbeam tearfully described the girls as “my little babies” in a touching statement. Having known them since childhood, she said their deaths have left an unfillable void in her heart.
Everly and Alydia Livingston posing inside an ice skating rink, Photo Credit: Peter Livingston/Facebook
Her son, Wolfe Jin, who trained alongside Everly and Alydia at the local ice rink, remembered them as two of the brightest stars in their skating community. “They were loved by everyone,” he shared with reporters, adding that their presence on the ice inspired younger skaters.
When news of the crash broke, Longerbeam and Wolfe rushed to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, desperately seeking confirmation and clinging to hope. They even brought coats, believing the girls might be cold if they had survived.
“She recalled Wolfe repeatedly saying, ‘They’re gonna be cold, we have to make sure they’re warm,’ as they faced the heartbreaking reality that soon unfolded.”
Everly and Alydia Livingston inside the American Airlines Flight 5342, Photo Credit: Jin Ah Longerbeam/Facebook
Ted Boyke, a close family friend, remembered Peter Livingston as a devoted father who always prioritized his family. “His daughters meant the world to him,” Boyke said, noting that Peter was constantly coming up with ambitious ideas and turning them into reality.
One such idea was building an ice rink in their backyard, reflecting his commitment to his daughters’ dreams. Each winter, Peter would lay a tarp, board it off, and create a homemade rink for his daughters to practice on—even during the COVID lockdowns when public ice rinks were closed.
The tragic crash claimed the lives of all 67 people on board, including 60 passengers, four crew members, and three U.S. Army soldiers in the Black Hawk helicopter that collided with the aircraft.
By January 31, authorities had recovered the remains of 41 victims, with 28 of them positively identified.
Everly and Alydia Livingston inside the American Airlines Flight 5342, Photo Credit: Jin Ah Longerbeam/Facebook
The passengers included parents with children, flight attendants, and a group of hunters returning from a trip.
While the official cause of the crash remains under investigation, aviation experts believe the Army helicopter may not have seen the commercial jet before the collision.
An active-duty Army helicopter pilot, speaking anonymously, suggested human error was a major factor. “I guarantee it was essentially pilot error,” he said.
As the nation mourns this tragedy, friends and loved ones struggle with the immense loss of the Livingston family. Their final moments, captured in a simple set of photos, serve as a heartbreaking reminder of a journey that never reached its destination.
Sources: People
