Columbia County Plane Crash: 6 Dead After Westchester Flight Tragedy

3 months ago

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A devastating Columbia County plane crash claimed the lives of six people on April 12 after a private flight departed from Westchester County Airport and crashed near Copake, New York. Among the victims was Karenna Groff, a former MIT soccer standout and the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year.

What Happened in the Columbia County Plane Crash?

The Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft was en route to Columbia County Airport when it went down in a field close to Route 23 and Two Town Road around 12:06 p.m., according to NTSB officials. The pilot, Michael Groff, had reported a missed approach before the plane disappeared from radar, triggering a low-altitude alert.

Air traffic control attempted to contact the pilot multiple times but received no response. There was no distress call.

Victims of the Columbia County Plane Crash Identified

The victims of the Columbia County plane crash were all members of a tight-knit group of elite professionals and students, on their way to celebrate a birthday and Passover in the Catskills.

Who They Were

Karenna Groff, 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year, MIT soccer star, and NYU med student
Dr. Michael Groff, a neurosurgeon and experienced pilot
Dr. Joy Saini, urogynecologist and founder of Boston Pelvic Health
Jared Groff, a paralegal and Swarthmore College graduate
Alexia Couyutas Duarte, aspiring Harvard Law student
James Santoro, Karenna’s boyfriend, MIT grad and hedge fund associate

“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.”

Popular airline jetBlue has flights out of Westchester to destinations such as Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Florida and San Juan, Puerto Rico, among others.
Joe Raedle, Getty Images

Columbia County plane crash — Popular airline jetBlue has flights out of Westchester to destinations such as Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Florida and San Juan, Puerto Rico, among others.
Joe Raedle, Getty Images

A Breeze Airways jetliner taxis towards the arrival gate at Daytona Beach International Airport on the ultra low-cost carrier’s inaugural flight from White Plains, New York, on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024.
USA TODAY NETWORK

A Delta Airlines plane flies past a full moon seen from Crawford Park in Rye Brook. Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. Delta has flights out of Westchester County Airport to Atlanta and Detroit.
John Meore/The Journal News

A BermudAir airplane is seen during the third round of the Butterfield Bermuda Championship at Port Royal Golf Course on November 11, 2023 in Southampton, Bermuda. The airline offers flights to Bermuda out of Westchester County Airport in White Plains.
Gregory Shamus, Getty Images

An American Airlines jet flies over Nickerson Beach Park on Sept. 4, 2023 in Lido Beach, New York. American Airlines offers flights out of Westchester to Charlotte, Chicago and Washington, D.C., as well as seasonal flights to Miami.
Bruce Bennett, Getty Images

NTSB to Investigate Columbia County Plane Crash

Todd Inman from the NTSB confirmed that a full investigation into the Columbia County plane crash is underway. While preliminary findings are expected within 30 days, the final report could take up to 24 months.

“Our mission is to understand not just what happened, but why it happened,” Inman said, urging anyone with crash video to contact the NTSB at witness@ntsb.gov.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text “STRENGTH” to 741-741.