Jon Maravilla, Skater Who Was in Kansas with Team, Says He Missed Flight Because of His Dog, but Not the Doomed D.C.-Bound Plane

Mar. 15, 2025

Jon Maravilla competing in Ostrava, Czech Republic, on Sept. 6, 2024.Photo:Jurij Kodrun - International Skating Union/International Skating Union via Getty

Jurij Kodrun - International Skating Union/International Skating Union via Getty

A U.S. figure skater who was in Kansas with his teammates said he was not allowed to board a plane because of his dog, but not theAmerican Airlines flight that collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopterin Washington, D.C.

Speaking withThe Daily Beast, Jon Maravilla said he was denied entry to board a Delta Airlines flight from Wichita to Atlanta before connecting on a second flight to Detroit on Wednesday, Jan. 29, because of the size of his dog.

He then reportedly posted on his Instagram Stories about the incident from inside the Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport with the caption: “Not allowed past gate to board flight. Get me out of Kansas, please.”

The update contradicts the reporting from Russian news agencyRIA Novostithat Maravilla was scheduled to be on the doomed flight to D.C.

Maravilla told the outlet that he did not know where that news came from and said he “still can’t believe” what happened to his friends.

“I was just with them watching them have lots of fun and just enjoying their time,” he added.

Saya Carpenter and Jon Maravilla competing in Gdansk, Poland, on Sept. 27, 2024.Jurij Kodrun - International Skating Union/International Skating Union via Getty

Fourteen U.S. figure skaters, including six members of The Skating Club of Boston, were among the 64 people killed onboard the American Airlines plane, CEO Doug Zeghibe announced at a press conference on Thursday, Jan. 30.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

The victims from The Skating Club of Boston have been identified as two teens, Spencer Lane and Jinna Han, their mothers, Molly Lane and Jin Han, and two coaches, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, former Russian world champions.

Emergency response in the Potomac River following the plane crash (Jan. 30, 2025).Andrew Harnik/Getty

Andrew Harnik/Getty

In a statement provided to PEOPLE, U.S. Figure Skating confirmed that members from their community were on the flight.

“U.S. Figure Skating can confirm thatseveral members of our skating community were sadly aboardAmerican Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a helicopter yesterday evening in Washington, D.C.,” the Jan. 30 statement read.

“These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas," the group added.

source: people.com