A catastrophic plane crash struck Copake, New York, on April 12, claiming the lives of six people, including Karenna Groff, a former MIT soccer standout and NYU medical student. The Mitsubishi MU-2B, a twin-engine turbo-prop, plunged into a muddy field near Craryville, roughly 10 miles from Columbia County Airport, where it was headed. Onboard were Karenna, her parents, Dr. Michael Groff and Dr. Joy Saini, her brother Jared Groff, his partner Alexia Couyutas Duarte, and Karenna’s partner James Santoro. The group had taken off from Westchester County Airport for a Passover celebration and Karenna’s 25th birthday, a joyful occasion turned to sorrow in an instant. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating, scrutinizing a video capturing the aircraft’s final seconds, which shows it intact before a steep descent. No distress call was made, and the pilot, navigating a Northeast storm with rain and snow, ignored multiple low-altitude warnings. This tragedy, one of several aviation incidents this year, has devastated academic, medical, and athletic communities, prompting questions about private flight safety in turbulent weather. The loss of six vibrant lives—each poised for greatness—has left families and friends grappling with profound grief, as tributes pour in for their remarkable legacies.
Karenna Groff, 25, was a beacon of talent and compassion, named NCAA Woman of the Year in 2022 for her soccer achievements and social impact. With a biomedical engineering degree from MIT, she was thriving at NYU’s medical school, earning praise for her patient care. James Santoro, her partner, was a former MIT lacrosse player turned financier, carrying an engagement ring for a planned summer proposal. Jared Groff, Karenna’s brother, worked as a paralegal with law school ambitions, while Alexia Couyutas Duarte, his partner, was set to attend Harvard Law School.
Dr. Michael Groff, a neurosurgeon, and Dr. Joy Saini, a pelvic health expert, were medical pioneers whose work touched countless lives. The flight, reportedly piloted by Dr. Groff—though unconfirmed officially—faced a storm that reduced visibility, complicating navigation under instrument flight rules. The NTSB noted the plane’s upgraded cockpit met FAA standards, yet the silence following air traffic control’s alerts deepens the mystery. As Copake mourns, the investigation seeks answers, and loved ones prepare to honor the victims’ indelible contributions.
Who they were
The victims’ lives were defined by brilliance and purpose. Karenna Groff shone as MIT’s soccer captain, leading her team to victories while launching openPPE, a nonprofit that supplied advanced masks to healthcare workers during the pandemic. Her NYU peers admired her warmth and skill, seeing her as a future medical leader.
James Santoro, Karenna’s partner, matched her drive. A lacrosse star at MIT, he built a finance career but was cherished for his kindness, planning a life with Karenna. Jared Groff, a paralegal, dreamed of law school, his intellect matched by a passion for fairness. Alexia Couyutas Duarte, accepted to Harvard Law, shared his vision for justice, her Swarthmore degree a stepping stone to greatness.
Dr. Michael Groff and Dr. Joy Saini were medical giants. Michael’s neurosurgery expertise saved lives, while Joy’s work in women’s health empowered patients. Their family’s unity and ambition inspired all who knew them.
- Karenna Groff: Soccer star, NYU medic, openPPE innovator.
- James Santoro: Lacrosse alum, financier, loving partner.
- Jared Groff and Alexia Duarte: Legal hopefuls with big dreams.
- Dr. Michael and Joy Saini: Medical leaders, caring healers.
Crash details emerge
The Mitsubishi MU-2B crashed around 12:15 p.m., slamming into a rain-soaked field in Copake, a rural community 50 miles south of Albany. The wreckage, described as “cr crumpled and embedded” by NTSB’s Todd Inman, left no survivors. Located near Craryville, the site challenged rescuers navigating muddy terrain, with no ground damage reported beyond the impact zone.
Investigators found the plane intact until its final plunge, captured in a video showing a near-vertical descent. Departing Westchester County, the flight was a brief 40-minute hop to Columbia County Airport. The pilot, operating in a storm, missed an initial landing approach, requested another, and then went silent, ignoring three low-altitude alerts. The absence of a mayday call has baffled authorities, fueling speculation about what went wrong.
The storm, bringing rain and snow, created treacherous conditions. Instrument flight rules demanded reliance on cockpit systems, yet something—mechanical, human, or environmental—disrupted the journey. The aircraft, recently sold and upgraded, was deemed airworthy, but every component is now under review as the NTSB pieces together the sequence.
Investigation underway
Unraveling the Copake crash is a painstaking task. The NTSB team, on-site since April 12, is collecting debris, reviewing maintenance records, and analyzing air traffic communications. A flight data recorder, if recovered, could reveal critical metrics like speed and altitude, while the video of the descent offers a haunting glimpse into the tragedy’s climax.
Weather is a key focus. The Northeast storm reduced visibility, complicating instrument-based navigation. The pilot’s experience, described as substantial by family, is being verified, alongside the plane’s systems. The Mitsubishi MU-2B, known for its power, can be unforgiving in turbulence, a trait investigators are examining closely.
Copake’s residents have supported the effort, securing the site and offering resources. The NTSB anticipates a preliminary report within weeks, but a full explanation may take up to two years, reflecting the depth needed to ensure accurate findings and safer skies.
Their lasting impact
Karenna Groff’s legacy transcends sports. Her openPPE work protected frontline workers, and her NYU tenure promised a stellar medical career. Friends recall her laughter and resolve, qualities that defined her every endeavor.
James Santoro’s charisma lit up rooms. From MIT’s fields to Wall Street, he forged connections, his engagement ring symbolizing unwavering commitment. Jared Groff, sharp and principled, and Alexia Duarte, poised for Harvard, were ready to champion justice, their futures brimming with possibility.
Dr. Michael and Dr. Joy Saini reshaped medicine. Michael’s surgical skill and Joy’s advocacy for women left enduring marks, their mentorship guiding young professionals. The six, bound by love, left a void no words can fill.
Universities in grief
NYU Langone mourns Karenna, a student whose empathy touched patients and peers. Faculty plan a tribute to her contributions, ensuring her spirit guides future doctors. Memorials are being organized, with her name etched in the school’s heart.
MIT grieves Karenna and James, whose athletic and academic feats inspired. The soccer and lacrosse teams will dedicate games to them, while alumni rally to preserve their legacy. Swarthmore, where Jared and Alexia studied, laments their loss, planning scholarships to honor their legal aspirations.
These schools, united in sorrow, are weaving the victims’ stories into their fabric. Funds for healthcare and education, causes they championed, are emerging as lasting tributes to their brilliance.
- NYU Langone: Karenna’s care inspired all who knew her.
- MIT: Karenna and James were scholar-athlete icons.
- Swarthmore: Jared and Alexia aimed for legal excellence.
Aviation under review
The Copake crash fuels scrutiny of private aviation. The Mitsubishi MU-2B, reliable yet demanding, faces questions about its performance in storms. The NTSB is probing whether upgrades masked flaws or if pilot decisions faltered under pressure.
Instrument flying, critical in low visibility, tests even seasoned pilots. The lack of response to alerts suggests possible overload or equipment issues, areas the investigation is dissecting. A recent New York helicopter crash adds urgency to calls for tighter regulations.
Safety advocates push for advanced weather systems and mandatory retraining. The FAA, overseeing small aircraft, may face pressure to enhance standards, ensuring tragedies like Copake spur meaningful change.
Families and town unite
The victims’ families face unimaginable loss. John Santoro, James’s father, called them “wonderful people” destined for greatness, pledging to keep their memory alive. Social media overflows with tributes, from teammates to patients, sharing tales of their kindness.
Copake, a tight-knit town, has embraced the moment with grace. Locals aided investigators, and churches are set to host vigils. The crash site, a stark reminder, is treated with reverence as families plan memorials.
Funerals are forthcoming, likely in New York and Boston, with funds supporting the victims’ passions—medicine, law, and community—ensuring their light endures.
Recent air tragedies
Aviation incidents have marked 2025:
- January: Washington, D.C., collision claims 67 lives.
- March: Philadelphia medical plane crash, all lost.
- April: Hudson River helicopter crash kills six.
- April 12: Copake’s Mitsubishi MU-2B crash, six dead.
Search for answers continues
The NTSB’s Copake mission presses on, with experts salvaging wreckage and modeling storm conditions. A flight recorder could unlock vital data, while maintenance and pilot records are scoured for clues. The investigation balances urgency with thoroughness, aiming to honor the victims with truth.
A preliminary report looms, but the full probe may span years, seeking not just causes but solutions. As families mourn, they draw strength from a nation’s support, holding fast to memories of six souls who changed the world.

A catastrophic plane crash struck Copake, New York, on April 12, claiming the lives of six people, including Karenna Groff, a former MIT soccer standout and NYU medical student. The Mitsubishi MU-2B, a twin-engine turbo-prop, plunged into a muddy field near Craryville, roughly 10 miles from Columbia County Airport, where it was headed. Onboard were Karenna, her parents, Dr. Michael Groff and Dr. Joy Saini, her brother Jared Groff, his partner Alexia Couyutas Duarte, and Karenna’s partner James Santoro. The group had taken off from Westchester County Airport for a Passover celebration and Karenna’s 25th birthday, a joyful occasion turned to sorrow in an instant. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating, scrutinizing a video capturing the aircraft’s final seconds, which shows it intact before a steep descent. No distress call was made, and the pilot, navigating a Northeast storm with rain and snow, ignored multiple low-altitude warnings. This tragedy, one of several aviation incidents this year, has devastated academic, medical, and athletic communities, prompting questions about private flight safety in turbulent weather. The loss of six vibrant lives—each poised for greatness—has left families and friends grappling with profound grief, as tributes pour in for their remarkable legacies.
Karenna Groff, 25, was a beacon of talent and compassion, named NCAA Woman of the Year in 2022 for her soccer achievements and social impact. With a biomedical engineering degree from MIT, she was thriving at NYU’s medical school, earning praise for her patient care. James Santoro, her partner, was a former MIT lacrosse player turned financier, carrying an engagement ring for a planned summer proposal. Jared Groff, Karenna’s brother, worked as a paralegal with law school ambitions, while Alexia Couyutas Duarte, his partner, was set to attend Harvard Law School.
Dr. Michael Groff, a neurosurgeon, and Dr. Joy Saini, a pelvic health expert, were medical pioneers whose work touched countless lives. The flight, reportedly piloted by Dr. Groff—though unconfirmed officially—faced a storm that reduced visibility, complicating navigation under instrument flight rules. The NTSB noted the plane’s upgraded cockpit met FAA standards, yet the silence following air traffic control’s alerts deepens the mystery. As Copake mourns, the investigation seeks answers, and loved ones prepare to honor the victims’ indelible contributions.
Who they were
The victims’ lives were defined by brilliance and purpose. Karenna Groff shone as MIT’s soccer captain, leading her team to victories while launching openPPE, a nonprofit that supplied advanced masks to healthcare workers during the pandemic. Her NYU peers admired her warmth and skill, seeing her as a future medical leader.
James Santoro, Karenna’s partner, matched her drive. A lacrosse star at MIT, he built a finance career but was cherished for his kindness, planning a life with Karenna. Jared Groff, a paralegal, dreamed of law school, his intellect matched by a passion for fairness. Alexia Couyutas Duarte, accepted to Harvard Law, shared his vision for justice, her Swarthmore degree a stepping stone to greatness.
Dr. Michael Groff and Dr. Joy Saini were medical giants. Michael’s neurosurgery expertise saved lives, while Joy’s work in women’s health empowered patients. Their family’s unity and ambition inspired all who knew them.
- Karenna Groff: Soccer star, NYU medic, openPPE innovator.
- James Santoro: Lacrosse alum, financier, loving partner.
- Jared Groff and Alexia Duarte: Legal hopefuls with big dreams.
- Dr. Michael and Joy Saini: Medical leaders, caring healers.
Crash details emerge
The Mitsubishi MU-2B crashed around 12:15 p.m., slamming into a rain-soaked field in Copake, a rural community 50 miles south of Albany. The wreckage, described as “cr crumpled and embedded” by NTSB’s Todd Inman, left no survivors. Located near Craryville, the site challenged rescuers navigating muddy terrain, with no ground damage reported beyond the impact zone.
Investigators found the plane intact until its final plunge, captured in a video showing a near-vertical descent. Departing Westchester County, the flight was a brief 40-minute hop to Columbia County Airport. The pilot, operating in a storm, missed an initial landing approach, requested another, and then went silent, ignoring three low-altitude alerts. The absence of a mayday call has baffled authorities, fueling speculation about what went wrong.
The storm, bringing rain and snow, created treacherous conditions. Instrument flight rules demanded reliance on cockpit systems, yet something—mechanical, human, or environmental—disrupted the journey. The aircraft, recently sold and upgraded, was deemed airworthy, but every component is now under review as the NTSB pieces together the sequence.
Investigation underway
Unraveling the Copake crash is a painstaking task. The NTSB team, on-site since April 12, is collecting debris, reviewing maintenance records, and analyzing air traffic communications. A flight data recorder, if recovered, could reveal critical metrics like speed and altitude, while the video of the descent offers a haunting glimpse into the tragedy’s climax.
Weather is a key focus. The Northeast storm reduced visibility, complicating instrument-based navigation. The pilot’s experience, described as substantial by family, is being verified, alongside the plane’s systems. The Mitsubishi MU-2B, known for its power, can be unforgiving in turbulence, a trait investigators are examining closely.
Copake’s residents have supported the effort, securing the site and offering resources. The NTSB anticipates a preliminary report within weeks, but a full explanation may take up to two years, reflecting the depth needed to ensure accurate findings and safer skies.
Their lasting impact
Karenna Groff’s legacy transcends sports. Her openPPE work protected frontline workers, and her NYU tenure promised a stellar medical career. Friends recall her laughter and resolve, qualities that defined her every endeavor.
James Santoro’s charisma lit up rooms. From MIT’s fields to Wall Street, he forged connections, his engagement ring symbolizing unwavering commitment. Jared Groff, sharp and principled, and Alexia Duarte, poised for Harvard, were ready to champion justice, their futures brimming with possibility.
Dr. Michael and Dr. Joy Saini reshaped medicine. Michael’s surgical skill and Joy’s advocacy for women left enduring marks, their mentorship guiding young professionals. The six, bound by love, left a void no words can fill.
Universities in grief
NYU Langone mourns Karenna, a student whose empathy touched patients and peers. Faculty plan a tribute to her contributions, ensuring her spirit guides future doctors. Memorials are being organized, with her name etched in the school’s heart.
MIT grieves Karenna and James, whose athletic and academic feats inspired. The soccer and lacrosse teams will dedicate games to them, while alumni rally to preserve their legacy. Swarthmore, where Jared and Alexia studied, laments their loss, planning scholarships to honor their legal aspirations.
These schools, united in sorrow, are weaving the victims’ stories into their fabric. Funds for healthcare and education, causes they championed, are emerging as lasting tributes to their brilliance.
- NYU Langone: Karenna’s care inspired all who knew her.
- MIT: Karenna and James were scholar-athlete icons.
- Swarthmore: Jared and Alexia aimed for legal excellence.
Aviation under review
The Copake crash fuels scrutiny of private aviation. The Mitsubishi MU-2B, reliable yet demanding, faces questions about its performance in storms. The NTSB is probing whether upgrades masked flaws or if pilot decisions faltered under pressure.
Instrument flying, critical in low visibility, tests even seasoned pilots. The lack of response to alerts suggests possible overload or equipment issues, areas the investigation is dissecting. A recent New York helicopter crash adds urgency to calls for tighter regulations.
Safety advocates push for advanced weather systems and mandatory retraining. The FAA, overseeing small aircraft, may face pressure to enhance standards, ensuring tragedies like Copake spur meaningful change.
Families and town unite
The victims’ families face unimaginable loss. John Santoro, James’s father, called them “wonderful people” destined for greatness, pledging to keep their memory alive. Social media overflows with tributes, from teammates to patients, sharing tales of their kindness.
Copake, a tight-knit town, has embraced the moment with grace. Locals aided investigators, and churches are set to host vigils. The crash site, a stark reminder, is treated with reverence as families plan memorials.
Funerals are forthcoming, likely in New York and Boston, with funds supporting the victims’ passions—medicine, law, and community—ensuring their light endures.
Recent air tragedies
Aviation incidents have marked 2025:
- January: Washington, D.C., collision claims 67 lives.
- March: Philadelphia medical plane crash, all lost.
- April: Hudson River helicopter crash kills six.
- April 12: Copake’s Mitsubishi MU-2B crash, six dead.
Search for answers continues
The NTSB’s Copake mission presses on, with experts salvaging wreckage and modeling storm conditions. A flight recorder could unlock vital data, while maintenance and pilot records are scoured for clues. The investigation balances urgency with thoroughness, aiming to honor the victims with truth.
A preliminary report looms, but the full probe may span years, seeking not just causes but solutions. As families mourn, they draw strength from a nation’s support, holding fast to memories of six souls who changed the world.
