Tragic Plane Crash in Copake, New York Claims Lives of Six, Including Former NCAA Woman of the Year and Esteemed Medical Professionals
COPAKE, NY — A devastating plane crash over the weekend in Copake, a rural town near the New York-Massachusetts border, has claimed the lives of six individuals, including Karenna Groff, the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year and former standout soccer player at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), along with members of her family and close circle.
The group was en route to the Catskills to gather for a family celebration and to observe the Jewish holiday of Passover when their aircraft, a twin-engine Mitsubishi MU-2B, went down in a muddy field just after noon on Saturday.
A Family of Excellence and Compassion
Authorities have confirmed the identities of four of the victims:
- Karenna Groff, 26, was widely celebrated for her athleticism, academic excellence, and community service. During her time at MIT, she was not only a soccer star but also a biomedical engineering student committed to social impact. Her recognition as NCAA Woman of the Year in 2022 was a testament to her well-rounded excellence.
- Dr. Michael Groff, her father and the pilot of the aircraft, was a renowned neuroscientist and admired for his groundbreaking research and mentorship in the medical community.
- Dr. Joy Saini, her mother, was a respected urogynecologist known for her compassionate patient care and leadership in women’s health.
- James Santoro, Karenna’s boyfriend and a recent MIT graduate, was also among the victims. Like Karenna, he had a promising future ahead and was deeply connected to both academic and philanthropic efforts.
The identities of the two additional individuals on board have not yet been publicly released pending notification of next of kin.
Details of the Crash
The aircraft had departed from White Plains, a New York City suburb, early Saturday morning and was scheduled to land at Columbia County Airport in Hudson, NY. The plane went down roughly 20 miles south of its intended destination, crashing in a remote and muddy field in Copake, a small town near the Massachusetts border.
Columbia County Undersheriff Jacqueline Salvatore shared that the crash site posed logistical challenges for emergency responders due to its remote location and soggy terrain.
“It’s in the middle of a field and it’s pretty muddy, so accessibility is difficult,” she said in a press briefing.
No survivors were found at the scene, and recovery efforts were conducted with the utmost care and solemnity.
A Community in Mourning
The tragic accident has left an immense void in both the academic and medical communities, especially at MIT, where Groff and Santoro were beloved for their leadership and kindness.
The Groff-Saini family was widely admired for their collective commitment to science, service, and advocacy. Friends, former classmates, and colleagues across the country have expressed grief and disbelief over the loss of such a promising group of individuals.
John Santoro, father of victim James Santoro, shared heartfelt words about the family and the potential that was tragically cut short.
“The world lost a lot of very good people who were going to do a lot of good for the world if they had the opportunity,” he said. “We’re all personally devastated.”
MIT released a statement expressing profound sorrow, calling Karenna and James “bright lights” in the institution’s community. Tributes continue to pour in on social media from former teammates, professors, and students, many sharing memories of Groff’s leadership on and off the soccer field and the couple’s joint efforts in service and research.
Ongoing Investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a formal investigation into the crash. A team of aviation safety experts was dispatched to the site over the weekend to begin examining the wreckage, weather conditions, and flight data. A preliminary report is expected in the coming days, but a full investigation may take months.
At this time, no official cause of the crash has been determined.
A Legacy of Impact
As funeral arrangements are being made and communities grapple with the enormity of the loss, the memories of those on board are being honored not just for their individual accomplishments, but for the lives they lived with purpose, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to helping others.
Karenna Groff, once described by her peers as “a force of nature with a heart of gold,” will be remembered as a scholar, athlete, and humanitarian. Her parents, Dr. Groff and Dr. Saini, leave behind legacies in the medical field defined by service, compassion, and intellectual rigor. James Santoro, whose future shone equally bright, was admired for his quiet leadership and innovation.
This tragedy has shaken hearts well beyond Copake and New York state—it has resonated nationally, a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring impact one family can have on the world.
Memorial details and opportunities to honor the lives lost will be announced in the coming days. Please keep the families, friends, and communities affected by this heartbreaking loss in your thoughts and prayers.