In the wake of the devastating mid-air collision involving an American Airlines flight near Washington, D.C., figure skater Jon Maravilla has come forward to clarify misinformation about his involvement. Rumors had swirled that Maravilla narrowly escaped the doomed flight after being denied boarding due to his dog’s size. However, the athlete has now set the record straight, explaining that while he was traveling at the time, his itinerary was completely different from that of the ill-fated plane.
A Close Call, But Not the Same Flight
According to Russian news outlet RIA Novosti, Maravilla had been scheduled to board an American Airlines flight at Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport but was stopped at the gate because his dog, a Bichon Frisé named Yuki, did not meet the airline’s pet size restrictions. Instead of boarding, he opted to drive to his destination, supposedly avoiding what would have been a fatal trip.
However, in an interview with The Daily Beast, Maravilla corrected the claims, stating that he had actually booked a Delta flight with a layover in Atlanta before heading to Detroit. “I still can’t believe it,” he said, reflecting on the tragedy. “I was just with them, watching them have lots of fun and just enjoying their time.”
Maravilla had spent days training with fellow figure skaters at the National Development Camp in Wichita, a U.S. Figure Skating event held in conjunction with the national championships. Many of his peers and their families were on the ill-fated flight, returning home from the competition.
A Shocking and Heartbreaking Discovery
As Maravilla drove, he remained unaware of the tragedy unfolding in the skies. The American Airlines flight, carrying 64 passengers and crew, collided mid-air with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport on Wednesday night, leaving no survivors.
It wasn’t until concerned friends and teammates started reaching out that Maravilla learned about the accident. The timing of the crash aligned with the Wichita-to-D.C. route, raising alarm bells. When his calls to fellow skaters went unanswered, he feared the worst.
“I reached out to a skater’s sister around 9:20 p.m.,” he recalled. “She was already crying, and that’s when I knew. Her brother, their mother, and father were all on that flight.”
A Community in Mourning
Maravilla’s younger brother, a 17-year-old skater, had trained alongside many of the victims in the days leading up to the crash. Among them was Spencer Lane, a fellow skater who had swapped jackets with Maravilla’s brother before parting ways in Wichita.
U.S. Figure Skating later confirmed that the athletes and their families had been returning home from the event. “These athletes, coaches, and family members were an integral part of our skating community,” the organization stated. “We are devastated by this tragic loss.”
While Maravilla may have been spared from the flight, the loss of his friends and colleagues has left an indelible mark. As the figure skating world mourns, the sport will forever remember the talents and dreams lost in the crash.
