Once again, figure skaters representing the past, present and future of the sport perished in a catastrophic plane crash.

US officials say they do not expect any survivors from the crash, and that at least 28 bodies have been recovered from scene. The plane was carrying 64 passengers and crew when it collided in mid-air with a US Army helicopter just after 21:00 local time on Wednesday (02:00 GMT). It then fell into the ice-cold Potomac River.

Members of the U.S. figure skating community were traveling on the commercial jet that collided with a military helicopter outside Washington. They were returning from a training camp in Kansas.