The community of Northern Virginia counted the Beyer family as a symbol of heartfelt resolve and optimistic spirit in their tight-knit environment.
Brielle Beyer utilized the combativeness she displayed while surviving cancer at infancy to become a member of the Skating Club of Northern Virginia.
Justyna Beyer demonstrated complete support for her daughter through her role as an 42-year-old mother by watching all sessions and competitions.
Brielle reached a major goal when she attended the U.S. Figure Skating National Development Camp at Wichita Kansas.
According to her father Andy Beyer she expressed significant pride about her figure skating achievements due to her progress in the sport. The team-selection process stood as one of her lifetime objectives. And she achieved it. She was supremely proud about herself at that moment.
Brielle together with Justyna made their way back home on January 29th 2025 while both Andy and their son waited expectantly at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Everyone felt the excitement of reunion but it turned into nervousness when the flight timing kept exceeding its schedule.
Andy received no response when he sent text messages to Justyna while his phone calls to reach her also failed.
The increasing tension within the airport became visible through the gathering emergency vehicles which indicated a problem existed.
Andy learned about misfortune from his air traffic controller friend during a time of increasing worry.
He recounted, “I didn’t have a lot of hope unfortunately, we had a good cry about it right then and there and then we had to go in with the family waiting room and everything before we, hours later, got any official word of what had fully happened.”
The collision took place right at the instant before the information reached him.
During its terminal approach toward Washington the U.S. American Airlines Flight 5342 controlled by PSA Airlines collided miraculously with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter.
Both aircrafts crashed into Potomac River water after their collision which led to an instant emergency rescue operation.
American Airlines Flight 5342 departed from Wichita Kansas and was destined for Washington D.C. with its 60 passengers together with four crew members onboard.
The tragic incident resulted in total fatality since both flight crews lost their lives.
Following this event the Beyer family received strong support from their community.
During this difficult period supporters created a GoFundMe initiative to help Andy and his son cope with this unimaginable situation.
The page describes Justyna as “a devoted mother” who “sacrificed so much to provide for Brielle’s future as an Olympic figure skater.”
According to Andy Beyer his daughter’s spirit pushed her to try everything she wanted in life and showed extraordinary persistence.
She displayed strong fighting characteristics throughout every aspect of her life. He explained that she made the most out of life in every aspect of her existence.
The passing of Justyna and Brielle created an endless hole in the lives of their relatives as well as in the larger community that loved them.
The deep loss leads those who mourn forward as they remember how a mother sacrificed for her child and a girl fought with unmatched determination.
Feature Image Credit: (Instagram/ @memoryofangels)
