A twin-engine aircraft carrying three couples headed to a Passover celebration met a tragic end near Copake, New York.
According to The New York Times, a Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft crashed in a muddy field on Saturday afternoon, killing all six passengers aboard, including two prominent surgeons, their children, and their children's partners who were traveling to attend a 25th birthday celebration and Passover Seder.
The devastating incident claimed the lives of neurosurgeon Michael Groff, who piloted the aircraft, and his wife, Joy Saini, a pelvic surgeon. Their children, Karenna Groff, an NYU Langone medical student and former MIT soccer star, and Jared Groff, a paralegal at a New York hedge fund, perished alongside their respective partners, James Santoro and Alexia Couyutas Duarte.
Distinguished medical professionals and promising young lives lost
Jonathan Becker, vice president for academic affairs at Bard College and a family member of the victims, confirmed the identities of the deceased. Karenna Groff had achieved remarkable success in her athletic career, earning the prestigious NCAA Woman of the Year award in 2022. Her partner, James Santoro, an investment banker, had been planning to propose this summer.
Jared Groff and Alexia Couyutas Duarte were both preparing to embark on their legal careers. While Jared was set to begin law school in the fall, Alexia had secured admission to Harvard Law School.
The impact of this loss resonated deeply with Becker, who shared his thoughts: "We will remember them as the six brilliant, dynamic and loving people that they were."
National Transportation Safety Board launches thorough investigation
The aircraft departed from Westchester County Airport in White Plains shortly after 11:30 a.m., heading north toward Hudson before turning east around noon. The plane vanished from radar near Copake, a small town bordering Taconic State Park, approximately two hours north of New York City.
Albert Nixon, the lead NTSB investigator, revealed that the pilot reported a missed approach while nearing Columbia County Airport and requested guidance for another attempt. The air traffic controller received a low-altitude alert but couldn't establish contact with the pilot. The aircraft crashed 10 miles from its intended destination.
Undersheriff Jacqueline Salvatore provided details about the challenging recovery conditions: "It's in the middle of a field and it's pretty muddy, so accessibility is difficult."
Investigation continues amid challenging conditions
A team of 14 NTSB investigators is examining the wreckage, which spans approximately 100 yards. They are working alongside experts from Mitsubishi and Honeywell, the manufacturers of the aircraft and engine respectively.
The weather conditions at the time of the crash were relatively mild, with overcast skies and wind gusts reaching up to 26 miles per hour. Local law enforcement received the initial 911 call around noon, prompting a response from the sheriff's department, New York State Police, and local fire department personnel.
This incident follows two other notable aviation accidents in the region within the past year, including a crash involving rescue dogs and another that claimed five family members.
Lives forever changed by tragedy
The fatal crash of the Mitsubishi MU-2B near Copake, New York, resulted in the deaths of six accomplished individuals: neurosurgeon Michael Groff, pelvic surgeon Joy Saini, their children Karenna and Jared Groff, and their partners James Santoro and Alexia Couyutas Duarte. The group was en route to celebrate a 25th birthday and Passover Seder when their aircraft went down in a muddy field. The NTSB has launched a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the crash, with experts from Mitsubishi and Honeywell assisting in the examination of the wreckage.
