WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Many of the victims on the American Airlines plane that collided with the Black Hawk military helicopter were figure skaters and their families coming back from a competition in Kansas.
Now, a photographer who captured many of their most impressive moments is honoring them by sharing pictures of their late achievements.
Melanie Heaney took, and shared, tons of photos of who she believed would be the next generation of great skaters. Sharing the photos on social media, she wrote lengthy captions about the fallen skaters.
She has traveled around the world taking pictures of competitions and said the talent in the D.C. area was incredible.
“I love being able to capture the kids how I see them on the ice,” Heaney told DC News Now.
She shared photos of three skaters who died in the crash: Eddie Zhou, Franco Aparicio and Brielle Beyer.
“I’ve seen these photos can help people heal, help people grieve,” she said. “I’m happy to take the time to share them.”
Heaney sold the photos to family members at the competitions and said she got to know many of the skaters and their families.
“Boys of [Eddie Zhou’s] age, you don’t always get a lot of expression while they’re skating,” she said. “But, Eddie … he always had, a lot of joy when he skated as well as, off the ice.”
When speaking about Aparicio, Heaney called him a skater “beyond his years.”
“He had a really, really special quality to his skating,” she said. “This past season, last year, 2024, I felt like he was really starting to gain confidence.”
She also commented on the “spunky confidence” Brielle Beyer showed on the ice, which was evident through her photographs.
“She was very dedicated to her choreography,” she said.
A figure skating tribute will take place in the District, in early March to support victims of the midair collision.
