Copake, New York – A tragic plane crash happened on Saturday, taking the lives of six people, including a former college athlete who was recognized for her outstanding achievements in sports. This incident occurred around 12:15 p.m. local time when the plane, a Mitsubishi MU-2B, was on its way to Columbia County Airport but went down in a muddy field about ten miles away.
The victims of this crash included Karenna Groff, a former soccer player from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year. Alongside her, both of her parents, Dr. Michael Groff and Dr. Joy Saini, also lost their lives in the mishap. At the time of the accident, Karenna was pursuing a medical degree at New York University. Her younger brother, Jared Groff, and his partner, Alexia Couyutas Duarte, were also tragically killed. Furthermore, Karenna’s boyfriend, James Santoro, was aboard and did not survive.
All six individuals boarded the flight at Westchester County Airport earlier that day. Just before the crash, the pilot communicated with the air traffic control, indicating that he missed the first approach to the Columbia County Airport and sought guidance for another plan. Unfortunately, the pilot failed to respond to subsequent low altitude alerts from the air traffic controllers.
Authorities say the investigation into the cause of the crash may take up to 24 months to complete. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the aircraft was found severely damaged in the field, appearing to have impacted the ground at a high rate of descent. They also noted that the plane had recently received upgrades, including state-of-the-art cockpit technology.
The news has left friends and family in deep sorrow. John Santoro, James’s father, expressed heartbreak over the loss, emphasizing how much potential the victims had for making a positive impact on the world. He referred to the Groff family as a “wonderful family,” affirming that the world has lost remarkable individuals.
