
The devastating plane crash in Washington DC on Wednesday night has claimed the life of Kiah Duggins, an attorney and former Miss Kansas contestant, along with 66 others.
Quick Takes
- An American Airlines plane collided with a military helicopter in Washington DC.
- The crash resulted in 67 fatalities, marking the deadliest airline incident on US soil in more than 20 years.
- Kiah Duggins, civil rights attorney and aspiring professor, was one of dozens of people aboard the plane and has been named one of the victims.
Tragic Collision and Its Impact
A tragedy unfolded in Washington DC as an American Airlines aircraft collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter. This catastrophic accident resulted in 67 fatalities, becoming the deadliest airline crash in the United States in over two decades. Kiah Duggins, a civil rights attorney and former Miss Kansas contestant, who was enroute to Washington, DC, to prepare for a role as a law professor at Howard University, has been named as one of the victims killed in the crash.
The crash, involving 64 passengers on the plane and three personnel on the helicopter, has left communities reeling. Reported victims include top figure skaters from the US and Russia, a young pilot, and devoted members of various communities.
"Brave and beautiful soul:" Civil rights attorney, former Miss Kansas contestant killed in plane crash near DC airporthttps://t.co/SnbBZEw3kQ #kwch12
— KWCH 12 News (@KWCH12) January 30, 2025
Remembering Kiah Duggins
Kiah Duggins a civil rights attorney, as well as a top 10 finalist in the 2014 and 2015 Miss Kansas Pageant. Duggins was also on the cusp of starting her tenure as a law professor at Howard University, according to her former pageant director, Larry Strong.
“Her loss is heartbreaking, not only for her family and friends but for everyone who believes in justice and equality,” expressed former Sedgwick County Commissioner Lacey Cruse, capturing the magnitude of Duggins’ departure on the community.
Other Passengers
In addition to Duggins, dozens of other people have been reported lost after the crash. Grace Maxwell, a mechanical engineering student, and several from the figure skating world were reportedly aboard the flight. Cedarville University described Maxwell as “a thoughtful, quiet student leader” with a passion for helping others. The skating community mourns the loss of talents like Spencer and Christine Lane, and Russian coaches Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.
Communities across states are grieving, including families from Kansas’ own community-focused couple Bob and Lori Schrock. The crash has shaken communities, as the country unites in mourning and amid investigations into the incident.
Sources
- Teenage skaters, a young pilot and a professor – the victims of DC plane crash
- Families, communities identify victims killed in plane crash near D.C. airport
- Former Miss Kansas contestant, aspiring Howard law professor among DC plane crash victims