Andy Beyer texted his wife, who was on American Airlines 5342 with their 12-year-old daughter Brielle, a competitive figure skater and cancer survivor, at the Reagan National Airport parking lot on January 29.
He watched firetrucks instead of meeting the girls he “loved more than anything,” unaware that he had lost his “soulmate” and “princess” to the midair disaster that killed 67 people.
Brielle, 12, was traveling with her mother, Justyna, from Kansas to Northern Virginia, where she resided with her father, Andy, and 6-year-old brother, Kallen.
The mother-daughter combo returned home after six days of hard training in Wichita as Brielle was one of the nation’s best young figure skaters.
It was our longest separation ever—six days. It was hard. Really missed them. I was excited to hug them,” Beyer told NBC, adding that his daughter was “just intended to sparkle.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, neuroblastoma, a disease “that develops from immature nerve cells found in several areas of the body,” was detected in the child as a baby.
Brielle had multiple surgeries and was on a ventilator, according to the Washington Post.
Though Brielle was recovering, she had “residual nerve differences in her legs,” which made skating difficult, but she was still a top kid in her age group nationwide.
Beyer, 44, told the Washington Post that the trip to Wichita “was one of those moments.” “This sport can be a grind, and it’s so important to find those moments where you are just filled with the joy of the whole thing.”
Brielle felt proud of her life ambition. And Justyna was so proud of her, too,” Beyers says of his wife, 42, who quit nursing to help their daughter achieve her dreams.
‘Something was wrong’
Beyers was thrilled to hear Justyna and Brielle were going home after daily conversations.
The devastated father told the Washington Post that his wife contacted him before American Eagle Flight 5342 took off, celebrating a flight attendant’s complimentary wine.
As he and his son waited for the plane to land, he texted her to inquire if they were landing soon.
In lieu of a Justyna reaction, he saw emergency vehicles speed by.
Firetrucks passed by. I sensed something was wrong then, the tearful parent told CNN.
Deadly crash
At 9 p.m., an American Airlines plane collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter entering Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
All 60 passengers, four crew members, and three helicopter soldiers died on the commercial flight.
I lived for them
The devastated father posted an emotional post on Facebook with images of the family enjoying time the day following the incident.
I’m still reeling from losing my soulmate and princess last night. Brielle, among other things, was an exceptional figure skater and had fulfilled one of her life ambitions of qualifying for the US Figure Skating national development team.
According to Beyers, she and Justyna were on the wrecked airplane returning from Wichita, where they attended a high-performance camp.Their inner and outer beauty was remarkable.”
The message concludes, “I really lived my life for them, I loved them more than anything, and I’m going to miss them so much.”
Please send the Beyers and all American Airlines 5342 victims your well wishes in the comments below.