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COPAKE, N.Y. — A private plane crash in upstate New York over the weekend has left six people dead, all members of a close-knit family of accomplished professionals and student-athletes, as they traveled to the Catskills for a birthday celebration and the Passover holiday.
The twin-engine Mitsubishi MU-2B went down just after noon on Saturday in a muddy field in Copake, near the Massachusetts state line. Authorities confirmed that all six people aboard the aircraft were killed. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating the crash.
The victims included:
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Karenna Groff, a former MIT soccer star and 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year
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Dr. Michael Groff, a neurosurgeon and experienced pilot
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Dr. Joy Saini, a leading urogynecologist and founder of Boston Pelvic Health and Wellness
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Jared Groff, a Swarthmore College graduate working as a paralegal
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Alexia Couyutas Duarte, Jared’s partner and Harvard Law School-bound student
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James Santoro, Karenna’s boyfriend and fellow MIT graduate
“They were a wonderful family,” said John Santoro, father of James. “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.”
According to NTSB officials, the pilot had contacted air traffic control at Columbia County Airport just before the crash, requesting a new approach after missing the first. Controllers attempted to relay a low-altitude alert three times but received no response. No distress call was made.
A preliminary review of video footage shows the aircraft was intact during its final descent and crashed at a high rate of speed.
The Groff-Saini family was well known for their professional achievements and community service. Karenna Groff, who co-founded an initiative to distribute PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic, had recently enrolled in medical school at NYU. Her partner, James Santoro, worked in finance after graduating from MIT with a degree in math.
Dr. Saini, originally from India, and Dr. Groff met during their medical training at the University of Pittsburgh. Both built successful medical careers in Massachusetts and raised their children to follow in their footsteps of academic excellence and civic contribution.
The family took off from Westchester County Airport on Saturday morning, intending to land at Columbia County Airport. Instead, the aircraft crashed approximately 10 miles south of the runway in a remote agricultural area.
Though weather conditions may have played a role, officials have not confirmed a cause. The aircraft, recently upgraded and certified by the FAA, was flying under instrument flight rules at the time.
NTSB investigators are expected to remain at the site for several more days, though a final report may take up to two years.
Funeral arrangements for the victims are currently underway.
“The 25 years we had with James were the best years of our lives,” said John Santoro. “The joy and love he brought us will be enough to last a lifetime.”
