Douglas Lane faced the difficult task of telling his 12-year-old son, Milo, that his mother and older brother were likely killed in a plane crash. The American Eagle plane collided with an Army helicopter over the Potomac River, where Lane’s wife, Christine, and son Spencer were on board. Despite his gut feeling, Lane didn’t confirm their deaths until the next day, which was heart-wrenching.
Spencer, a 16-year-old figure skating prodigy, had just finished competing at the 2025 Figure Skating Championships in Wichita. He was on his way home with his mother following a training camp. The tragedy also claimed the lives of 62 other passengers and three soldiers on the helicopter. Lane recounted their passion for figure skating and how the sport had become a huge part of their lives.
Spencer had started figure skating late but showed immense talent and idolized other Asian American skaters. The family adopted him from South Korea when he was 9 months old, where his charisma made him stand out wherever he went. The Lane family shared a special moment returning to Seoul to celebrate Christmas, where Spencer got to meet his adopted brother, Milo.
Lane and Milo are now adjusting to life without Christine and Spencer, trying to cope with their loss through memorials and daily routines. Despite the challenge of parenting in this unprecedented situation, Lane remembers the love and joy that Spencer brought to their family, cherishing the memories they shared together.
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