Skating Tragedy Fuels Aviation Safety Advocacy

Key Takeaways:

• Christine Conrad Lane and son Spencer killed in plane crash
• Tragedy impacts figure skating community in New England
• Doug Lane copes with loss, advocates for aviation safety

The figure skating world was shaken when Christine Conrad Lane and her son Spencer, a rising star in the sport, tragically lost their lives in a plane crash near Washington D.C. on January 29. The incident has left a profound impact on the New England skating community and beyond.

Doug Lane, Christine's husband and Spencer's father, is grappling with the unimaginable loss while caring for their surviving son, Milo. The crash claimed the lives of 64 people, including four others affiliated with the Skating Club of Boston: skater Jinna Han, her mother Jin Han, and coaches Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.

Spencer, at just 16, had rapidly ascended from novice to Olympic hopeful in a mere two years. His journey to the National Development Camp was marked by dedication and talent, with his family restructuring their lives to support his ambitions. Christine, 49, had initially missed competitions due to Spencer's superstitions, but had joined him for this fateful trip to Wichita, Kansas.

The Lane family's story began with Christine and Doug's meeting in Boston in 1999. They married in 2003 and chose to adopt their children from South Korea. Spencer's natural athletic ability led him to figure skating, where he quickly excelled, amassing a significant social media following for his performances.

Doug is now focused on supporting Milo and advocating for changes to prevent similar tragedies. He's connected with other families affected by the crash, discussing a permanent memorial and pushing for aviation safety improvements. National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy suggested that inaccurate altitude readings and missed instructions from air traffic controllers may have contributed to the collision.

As the investigation continues, Doug Lane remains committed to using this unwanted spotlight to drive positive change in aviation safety, hoping to spare others from experiencing such devastating loss.