On January 29, Andy Beyer sat in the parking lot outside Reagan National Airport, texting his wife, who was aboard American Airlines 5342 with their 12-year-old daughter Brielle, a resilient cancer survivor and competitive figure skater.
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But rather than embracing the two people he cherished most, he saw firetrucks racing past—unaware that he had just lost his “soulmate” and “princess” in the tragic midair collision that took 67 lives.
On January 29, 12-year-old Brielle was flying with her mother, Justyna, from Kansas back to their home in Northern Virginia, where her father, Andy, and her 6-year-old brother, Kallen, were waiting.
As one of the country’s most promising young figure skaters, Brielle had been training intensively in Wichita for six days, and she and her mom were heading home after the rigorous program.
Six days was the longest we had ever been apart. It was really tough. I missed them so much and couldn’t wait to hug them,” Beyer told NBC, sharing that his daughter was “just born to shine.”
It was a remarkable achievement for the young skater, who had been diagnosed as a baby with neuroblastoma — a cancer that, according to the Mayo Clinic, originates from immature nerve cells in various parts of the body.
According to The Washington Post, Brielle underwent multiple surgeries and even required time on a ventilator.
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Though she was in recovery, she still had “residual nerve differences in her legs,” making skating more difficult. Yet, despite the challenges, she remained one of the nation’s top skaters in her age group.
“This sport can be grueling, and it’s crucial to cherish those moments of pure joy,” Beyer, 44, told The Washington Post, reflecting that the trip to Wichita “was one of those moments.
“It was a huge milestone for [Brielle], and she couldn’t have been prouder of herself. Justyna was incredibly proud of her, too,” Beyer said of his 42-year-old wife, who left her nursing career to support their daughter’s dreams.
‘Something Felt Off’
Having spoken to Justyna and Brielle every day, Beyer was thrilled that they were finally on their way home.
The heartbroken father told The Washington Post that before American Eagle Flight 5342 took off, his wife had texted him, excitedly sharing that a flight attendant had given her a complimentary glass of wine.
As he and his son eagerly awaited their arrival, he sent her a message, asking if they would be landing soon.
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But instead of receiving a reply from Justyna, he watched in shock as emergency crews sped past.
“Firetrucks started rushing past. At that moment, I knew something was wrong,” the devastated father told CNN, his eyes filled with tears.
Tragic Collision
Around 9 p.m., the aircraft—operating under the American Airlines group—crashed into a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter while nearing Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
All 60 passengers and four crew members aboard the commercial flight lost their lives, along with three soldiers in the helicopter.
‘They Were My Whole World’
The day after the devastating crash, the grieving father took to Facebook, sharing a heartfelt message alongside photos of their family cherishing moments together.
“I’m still in disbelief, but last night, I lost my soulmate and my princess. In case you didn’t know, Brielle was an incredible figure skater—among so many other amazing qualities—and she had just accomplished one of her biggest dreams: making the national development team for US Figure Skating.
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Beyer continued, “She and Justyna were on the flight that crashed while returning from Wichita, where they attended the high-performance camp… They were truly beautiful souls, inside and out.
He ended his post with a heartbreaking message: “They were my everything. I loved them beyond words, and I can’t begin to describe how much I will miss them.”
Please take a moment to send your deepest condolences to the Beyer family and extend your thoughts and prayers to all those who lost their lives on American Airlines 5342.CategoriesNews