Spencer and his mother, Christine, were returning from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas, when their aircraft collided with a military helicopter over the Potomac River on January 29, 2025.
Highlights
- Spencer Lane, a 16-year-old figure skater, and his mother, Christine Lane, were among the victims of the tragic plane crash in Washington, D.C. They were returning from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas.
- Both Spencer and his younger brother, Milo, were adopted from South Korea by their parents, Doug and Christine Lane.
- Spencer was a rising star in the figure skating community, training at the Skating Club of Boston in Norwood, Massachusetts.
- Christine Lane was a creative individual with a passion for graphic design, photography, and quilting. She had a YouTube channel called Quilting on Caffeine, where she shared her sewing projects and vlogs about her life.
The tragic plane crash in Washington, D.C., claimed the lives of many, including 16-year-old figure skater Spencer Lane and his mother, Christine Lane.
Spencer and his younger brother, Milo, were both adopted from South Korea by their loving parents, Doug and Christine Lane.
Heartbreaking. This is the Lane family of Barrington, RI. Mom Christine and son Spencer (pictured on right) were killed in the DC plane crash on their way home from skating national development camp. #WBZ pic.twitter.com/QMLFflsP1A
— Kristina Rex (@KristinaRex) January 30, 2025
Milo Lane, Still A Child, Is Also A Budding Figure Skater
Milo Lane, a preteen, was also adopted from South Korea alongside his older brother by Doug and Christine Lane.
While much of the spotlight has been on Spencer’s achievements in figure skating, Milo’s story is equally important.
Milo, also a budding figure skater, was raised in a loving and supportive home environment.
The Lane family ensured that both boys had the opportunity to pursue their passions and dreams.
Although, thankfully, Milo was not on the plane that tragically crashed, the loss of his brother and mother has undoubtedly left a profound impact on him.
Moving forward, Milo’s journey will be shaped by the love and support of his father, Doug, and the memories of his brother and mother.
Spencer Lane Was A Star Who Rose Quickly in Figure Skating
Spencer Lane was a promising figure skater from Barrington, Rhode Island.
His journey in figure skating began just three years ago when he was inspired by watching Nathan Chen compete in the Olympics.
Despite starting late, Spencer’s natural talent and dedication quickly propelled him to the national level.
He was known for his infectious energy and was loved by everyone, from the smallest skaters to those competing for a shot at the Olympics, at his home club in Boston.
Spencer Lane was one of the young figure skaters that lost his life in the helicopter-plane collision last night.
— Kelly McCarty (formerly NONBidenary) (@KellyLMcCarty) January 30, 2025
He was on the path to making the US Olympic team next year.
Praying for the skating community and their families. 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/a36UBG1mlH
Spencer’s achievements in figure skating were remarkable.
He had recently qualified for the National Development Camp in Wichita, Kansas, from where he, Christine, and eight other figure skaters, coaches, and family were returning.
They were Jinna Han (13-year-old figure skater), Jin Han (Jinna’s mother), Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov (1994 World Figure Skating Championships in pairs), Inna Volyanskaya (Ice skating coach), Angela Yang and Sean Kay (10-year-old ice dance partners), and Alexandr Kirsanov (Angela and Sean’s coach).
With over 45K followers on TikTok, Spencer’s posts reflected his enthusiasm and gratitude for the support he received from his coaches and the Skating Club of Boston.
Just hours before the crash, he had posted a TikTok video, captioned “end of camp triple toeloop 😘😘.”
@spencer_lane end of camp triple toeloop 😘😘. #fyp #figureskating #iceskating #athlete ♬ oou she mine – jenortga
Christine Lane Was A Creative Soul and A Devoted Mother
Christine Lane was a creative person with a passion for graphic design, photography, and quilting.
She graduated from Syracuse University in 1997 and had a YouTube channel called Quilting on Caffeine, where she shared vlogs about her sewing projects and daily life.
The channel’s description reads,
I’m a graphic designer by degree and photographer through passionate pursuit of the trade. Most days you can find me trying to squeeze in sewing in those rare, spare moments while savoring a strong cup of black coffee.
YouTube/Quilting on Caffeine
Christine was also a member of the Rhode Island Association of Realtors for Residential Properties Ltd.
Doug Lane Gave A Moving Statement About His Eldest Son And Wife
Doug Lane, the father of Spencer and Milo, is now left to navigate life without his wife and eldest son.
Doug has been described as a supportive and loving father who encouraged his children’s pursuits.
In the wake of the tragedy, Doug has shared his grief and memories of his family with the public, highlighting the incredible bond they shared.
In a public statement, Doug quoted,
Whether he was in his home club in Boston, [Spencer] was just loved by everyone,” Douglas explained. “From adults running the club to smaller skaters, to the people that are competing for a shot at the Olympics, they all adored him.
wpri.com
The father of a Rhode Island figure skater who was killed in the plane crash in DC says his son, Spencer Lane, was excelling as a newcomer to the ice.
— WCVB-TV Boston (@WCVB) January 30, 2025
Douglas Lane also lost his wife, Christine, who he says was a "creative powerhouse" with a heart for animals. pic.twitter.com/jIY7BIgPj0
Doug’s emotional tributes to Spencer and Christine have resonated with many, as he described his son as a “force of nature” and his wife as a “beautiful, creative person.”
The Lane family’s story has touched the hearts of those who knew them and even those who didn’t.
Additional Information
- Spencer Lane started figure skating in January 2022, and within just over two years, he mastered complex moves like the triple toe loop-triple toe loop combination, triple loop, triple Lutz, and triple toe loop-Euler-triple salchow combination.
- Christine Lane transitioned from a successful 20-year career in marketing to pursue her true passion for quilting and creative design. She founded “Modern Little Me,” where she focused on modern quilting, design, and education.
- As of the latest updates, 28 bodies have been recovered from the site of the plane crash in Washington, D.C. This includes 27 passengers from the jet and one from the helicopter. The search and recovery efforts are ongoing, and authorities have stated that they do not expect to find any survivors.
