On February 15 , 1961 , the entire United States figure skating team was killed when Sabena Flight 548 crashed en route from New York City to Brussels , Belgium . The team was going to participate in the 1961 World Figure Skating Championships in Prague , Czechoslovakia . Among the team members that perished were 18 athletes , seven coaches and managers , three judges and referees , and six team family members . Within one week of the tragedy , the association announced the formation of a memorial fund in honor of the lost team members
Sabena Flight 548
Sabena Flight 548
U.S. Figure Skating