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Fatal Plane Crash in Upstate New York Claims Lives of Six
A private aircraft tragically crashed in upstate New York over the weekend, resulting in the deaths of six individuals. The victims were members of a close-knit family comprising physicians and accomplished student-athletes, en route to the Catskills for a birthday celebration and the Passover holiday. This devastating aviation accident remains under investigation.
Details of the Crash
The twin-engine Mitsubishi MU-2B went down shortly after 12 p.m. on Saturday in a field in Copake, New York, close to the Massachusetts border. Authorities and a family member confirmed to The Associated Press that all six occupants perished in the plane crash.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), preliminary information indicates that the pilot communicated with air traffic control at Columbia County Airport just before the incident. The pilot reportedly stated missing the initial landing approach and requested guidance for a subsequent approach. Air traffic controllers attempted to issue a low altitude warning three times while preparing new coordinates, but received no response from the pilot and no distress signal was transmitted.
Investigators have acquired video footage of the flight’s final moments. NTSB official Todd Inman informed reporters that the video “appears to indicate that the aircraft was structurally sound and descended rapidly into the ground” at the time of the crash.
Victims Identified in New York Plane Crash
Among those who died in the New York plane crash were:
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- Karenna Groff: A former MIT soccer star and the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year.
- Dr. Michael Groff: Karenna’s father, a distinguished neuroscientist.
- Dr. Joy Saini: Karenna’s mother, a urogynecologist.
- Jared Groff: Karenna’s brother, a 2022 Swarthmore College alumnus working as a paralegal.
- Alexia Couyutas Duarte: Jared Groff’s partner, also a Swarthmore graduate and incoming Harvard Law School student.
- James Santoro: Karenna Groff’s boyfriend and a recent MIT graduate.
The identities of the victims were confirmed in a family statement released on Sunday.
“They were a remarkable family,” expressed John Santoro, James’ father, to AP. “The world has lost exceptional individuals who had the potential to contribute immense good. We are all heartbroken.”
A Family of Accomplishments and Promise
John Santoro recounted that his son, James, and Karenna Groff first met as freshmen at MIT. Karenna, a Weston, Massachusetts native, was an All-American soccer player and biomedical engineering student. James, a mathematics major from New Jersey, played lacrosse at the university.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Karenna Groff co-founded openPPE, a project focused on creating innovative mask designs for essential workers. Her achievements culminated in the prestigious NCAA Woman of the Year award in 2023, recognizing her accomplishments both athletically and in her community engagement during the preceding year.
In a past interview, Karenna acknowledged, “This recognition truly reflects my MIT women’s soccer family and the invaluable guidance, support, and camaraderie they have provided throughout my journey.”
Following graduation, Santoro and Groff relocated to Manhattan. Groff began her medical studies at New York University, while Santoro became an investment associate at Silver Point, a hedge fund based in Greenwich, Connecticut.
Dr. Saini, originally from India, was a highly regarded pelvic surgeon and the founder of Boston Pelvic Health and Wellness, according to the family statement. She received her medical training at the University of Pittsburgh, where she met Dr. Michael Groff. Dr. Groff subsequently became a prominent neurosurgeon and a skilled pilot, the statement further noted.
On Saturday morning, the family departed from Westchester County Airport in White Plains, a New York City suburb, aboard Michael Groff’s private plane, according to John Santoro.
Their intended destination was Columbia County Airport, but the aircraft crashed approximately 10 miles (16 kilometers) south. The NTSB reported that the plane was found “compressed, buckled, and embedded in the terrain” of a muddy agricultural field.
NTSB Investigation Underway
The pilot was operating under instrument flight rules at the time of the fatal crash. However, NTSB official Todd Inman stated that it is premature to determine whether reduced visibility due to weather conditions played a role in the accident.
According to the NTSB, the aircraft had been sold a year prior and featured an upgraded cockpit with advanced technology certified to Federal Aviation Administration standards.
Investigators anticipate remaining at the crash site for approximately one week. A comprehensive accident report is expected to take between 12 and 24 months to finalize, Inman stated.
Funeral arrangements are currently being made, according to Santoro.
“The 25 years we shared with James were the most incredible years of our lives,” he added. “The joy and affection he gave us will sustain us forever.”