There are claims that an American figure skater was prevented from boarding the DC-bound plane that later collided with a helicopter. However, reports confirm that U.S. figure skater Jon Maravilla was denied boarding on a flight departing Wichita, Kansas, on Wednesday due to his dog’s size. This flight was not the fatal American Airlines plane carrying his teammates, which later collided with an Army helicopter in Washington, DC, on Wednesday night. Maravilla stated that he was traveling to Detroit.
Making a post on X (Formerly Twitter) @ResisttheMS wrote, JUST IN: American figure skater says he was prohibited from boarding the DC plane that ending up colliding with a helicopter yesterday, according to Fox News. The plane crashed into the Potomac River, where the bodies were recovered.
JUST IN: American figure skater says he was prohibited from boarding the DC plane that ending up colliding with a helicopter yesterday, according to Fox News.
— Resist the Mainstream (@ResisttheMS) January 30, 2025
The plane crashed into the Potomac River, where the bodies were recovered. pic.twitter.com/ysz7qpKl5O
The truth behind the claims, Fact Check
As soon as the posts containing the claims came to our notice. Subsequently, we conducted research and analysis of the claims. We found that Jon Maravilla was traveling to Detroit, not Washington.
To verify the claims made by the users. We performed relevant keyword searches and found multiple reports about his clarification. According to the reports (1, 2), Jon Maravilla said his dog’s size was the reason a gate agent denied him boarding for a flight on Delta Air Lines to Atlanta—not to the nation’s capital. He said he was catching a flight to Atlanta before connecting on a second flight to Detroit. He said he did not know where the false reports about boarding a flight to Washington came from, but he was devastated by the fate of his friends.
Additionally, we found his Instagram story clarifying the rumours. In his Instagram story, he stated, “Hey guys, just want to clarify, these stories are not true. I was flying to Detroit. I was not supposed to be on the DC flight. My heart goes out to the victims, and I cannot believe this is real. I am still in shock. Too many friends have gone too soon. Rest easy to the victims”
Therefore, it is evident from verified sources that American figure skater Jon Maravilla was flying to Detroit, not Washington.
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— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) January 30, 2025
ANALYSIS: Misleading
FACT: Claims have surfaced suggesting that an American figure skater was barred from boarding the DC-bound plane that later collided with a helicopter. The fact is that according to reports, U.S. figure skater Jon Maravilla was denied access (1/3) pic.twitter.com/0whj7HQsA8
Intent
Influencers and media outlets are circulating misleading claims about U.S. figure skater Jon Maravilla to set their narrative over the recent tragic accident.
Conclusion
Claim– American figure skater was barred from boarding the DC-bound plane that collided with a helicopter near Washington.
Fact– Jon Maravilla was barred due to his dog’s size and was flying to Detroit, not Washington.
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