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Plane Crash in Upstate New York Claims Lives of Prominent Groff-Saini Family

The tragedy, which killed all six onboard, is under NTSB investigation focusing on missed approach procedures and potential visibility issues.

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This 2023 photo provided by John Santoro shows his son, James Santoro, and Karenna Groff, a former MIT soccer player recently named the NCAA Woman of Year. (Courtesy John Santoro via AP)
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Overview

  • The crash occurred on April 12, 2025, when a Mitsubishi MU-2B crashed near Copake, New York, killing all six passengers, including the Groff-Saini family and their partners.
  • The victims include Dr. Joy Saini, Dr. Michael Groff, Karenna Groff, Jared Groff, Alexia Couyutas Duarte, and James Santoro, who were traveling for a birthday and Passover celebration.
  • Investigators confirmed video evidence showing the aircraft was intact before it descended at a high rate into the ground, with no distress call made by the pilot.
  • The NTSB is examining factors such as the pilot's missed approach, low-altitude alerts, instrument flight rules, and potential weather-related reduced visibility.
  • Karenna Groff, a former MIT soccer star and 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year, was celebrating her 25th birthday and had plans for an engagement, amplifying the emotional impact of the loss.