Tragic Plane Crash Claims Lives of Accomplished Family En Route to Catskills Celebration

On April 12, 2025, a devastating plane crash in Copake, New York, claimed the lives of six members of a remarkable family, leaving communities across Massachusetts, New York, and beyond in mourning. The Mitsubishi MU-2B, a twin-engine turboprop, went down in a muddy field just after noon, approximately 10 miles short of its intended destination, Columbia County Airport in Hudson. The passengers, bound for a joyous gathering in the Catskills to celebrate a 25th birthday and the Passover holiday, included distinguished physicians, celebrated student-athletes, and promising young professionals. This article chronicles the lives of the victims, the circumstances of the tragedy, and the profound impact their loss has had on those who knew them.

AP

A Family of Extraordinary Talent

The victims of the crash were identified as Dr. Michael Groff, a neurosurgeon and experienced pilot; his wife, Dr. Joy Saini, a urogynecologist; their daughter, Karenna Groff, a former MIT soccer star and 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year; Karenna’s partner, James Santoro, an MIT graduate and investment associate; their son, Jared Groff, a Swarthmore College alumnus; and Jared’s partner, Alexia Couyutas Duarte, a future Harvard Law School student. Together, they represented a constellation of achievement, compassion, and potential, their lives intertwined by family bonds and a shared commitment to making a difference.WRGB

Dr. Michael Groff, 54, was a respected neurosurgeon whose work advanced the field of spinal surgery. A graduate of prestigious medical institutions, he held a faculty position at Harvard Medical School and was pursuing an Executive MBA at MIT’s Sloan School of Management. Colleagues described him as a brilliant clinician with a steady hand and a warm demeanor, equally at home in the operating room and the classroom. Beyond medicine, Michael was an avid aviator, certified to fly complex aircraft like the Mitsubishi MU-2B. His passion for flying was a source of pride, and he often piloted his family on trips, including the fateful journey to the Catskills.

Dr. Joy Saini, 52, was a trailblazer in women’s health. Born in Punjab, India, she immigrated to the United States with her parents and forged a distinguished career as a urogynecologist and pelvic surgeon. After earning her medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh, she founded Boston Pelvic Health and Wellness, a clinic dedicated to improving women’s lives through innovative care. Joy was known for her empathy and advocacy, mentoring countless young physicians and championing access to quality healthcare. Her warmth and intellect left an indelible mark on her patients and peers.

Daily voice

Karenna Groff, 24, was a beacon of promise. A 2022 graduate of MIT with a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Engineering in Biological Engineering, she was pursuing a medical degree at NYU Langone when the crash occurred. At MIT, Karenna was a standout on the women’s soccer team, earning All-American honors and the prestigious 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year award for her athletic and academic excellence. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she co-founded openPPE, an initiative that designed protective masks for essential workers, showcasing her ingenuity and commitment to public service. Friends remembered her as a leader whose infectious enthusiasm inspired everyone around her.AP

James Santoro, 25, was Karenna’s partner and a fellow MIT alumnus. A math major from New Jersey, he graduated in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and had carved out a successful career as an investment associate at Silver Point Capital in Manhattan. At MIT, James played lacrosse, bringing the same discipline and teamwork to the field that he later applied to his professional life. Those close to him described a young man with a sharp mind and a generous heart, who had planned to propose to Karenna that summer. Their relationship, which began as freshmen at MIT, was a source of joy and stability for both.

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Jared Groff, 22, was the younger sibling, a 2022 Swarthmore College graduate who worked as a paralegal with aspirations in public policy. Known for his quiet determination and intellectual curiosity, Jared was deeply engaged in issues of social justice and community welfare. His colleagues praised his ability to connect with others, often bridging divides with his thoughtful approach. Jared’s life was enriched by his relationship with Alexia Couyutas Duarte, 23, a Swarthmore alumna accepted to Harvard Law School. Alexia was remembered for her fierce intelligence and compassion, with a future poised to shape legal advocacy. Together, Jared and Alexia were building a life grounded in shared values and mutual support.

The Fateful Flight

The family departed from Westchester County Airport in White Plains, New York, on the morning of April 12, aboard Michael Groff’s Mitsubishi MU-2B-40 Solitaire. The aircraft, known for its speed but also its demanding handling characteristics, was en route to Columbia County Airport, a small facility serving the Hudson Valley. The trip was meant to be a joyous reunion, combining a 25th birthday celebration—likely Karenna’s, given her age—and a Passover Seder, a meaningful tradition for the family. The Catskills, with their serene landscapes and vibrant Jewish cultural heritage, provided the perfect backdrop for such an occasion.

Lori Van Buren/Times Union

Flight data from tracking site FlightAware indicates the plane took off just after 11:30 a.m., with an expected landing time of 12:06 p.m. The weather that day was challenging, with a coastal storm bringing cold rain and snow to parts of the Northeast, though it remains unclear how significantly this impacted the flight. As the plane approached Columbia County Airport, Michael Groff, piloting the aircraft, reported to air traffic control that he had missed the initial landing approach. He requested new coordinates for a second attempt, a routine procedure for experienced pilots.Patrick Tine/ Times Union

What followed, however, was catastrophic. Air traffic controllers issued three low-altitude alerts as the plane descended, but received no response from Groff. No distress call was made, a detail that has puzzled investigators. Video footage obtained by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) shows the aircraft intact but descending at a high rate, striking the ground with devastating force around 12:15 p.m. The crash site, an open field on Two Town Road in Copake, was muddy and difficult to access, complicating rescue efforts. Columbia County Undersheriff Jacqueline Salvatore noted the terrain’s challenges, stating, “It’s in the middle of a field and it’s pretty muddy, so accessibility is difficult.”

Hector Rusado

The NTSB, leading the investigation alongside the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), confirmed that all six passengers perished on impact. The aircraft was destroyed, but no structures on the ground were damaged, a small mercy in an otherwise devastating event. NTSB member Todd Inman, speaking at a press conference on April 13, emphasized that the plane was certified under FAA standards and that Michael Groff was a licensed pilot with years of experience, having flown since a young age. “We have no reason to believe it was not legally safe to fly,” Inman said, though he cautioned that the investigation was in its early stages.

A Community in Mourning

The loss of the Groff-Saini family and their partners sent shockwaves through multiple communities. At MIT, where Karenna, James, and Michael were alumni or students, the tragedy struck deeply. A statement from the university confirmed their connections: Karenna’s groundbreaking work as a student-athlete and engineer, James’s contributions as a finance scholar and lacrosse player, and Michael’s pursuit of an Executive MBA. “Our deepest condolences are with the impacted families,” the spokesperson said, noting that counseling services were being offered through resources like MyLife Services and DoingWell MIT.LeRoy Fire Department

Harvard Medical School, where Michael served as a professor, issued a tribute highlighting his contributions to neurosurgery and education. NYU Langone, where Karenna was a medical student, expressed grief over the loss of a future physician whose potential was boundless. Swarthmore College mourned Jared and Alexia, remembering their intellectual vigor and commitment to justice. Across these institutions, memorials began to take shape, with vigils planned to honor the victims’ legacies.

WAMU

In Weston, Massachusetts, where the Groff family had deep roots, neighbors and friends grappled with disbelief. Karenna, Jared, Michael, and Joy were fixtures in the community, known for their generosity and involvement in local causes. In New Jersey, James Santoro’s family faced their own heartbreak. His father, John Santoro, spoke to the Associated Press with raw emotion: “They were a wonderful family. 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. We’re all personally devastated.”

John Santoro reflected on his son’s relationship with Karenna, which began in their freshman year at MIT. “Karenna was a fantastic person,” he said, “and after you met her parents, it became pretty clear where she got it from.” He shared that James and Karenna had moved to Manhattan to start a new chapter, with James thriving in finance and Karenna excelling in medical school. The couple’s plans for engagement, discussed with Michael and Joy over the recent holiday season, added a poignant layer to the tragedy. “The 25 years we had with James were the best years of our lives,” John said. “And the joy and love he brought us will be enough to last a lifetime.”

A Legacy of Impact

The Groff-Saini family and their partners left behind a legacy that transcends their tragic end. Michael and Joy’s contributions to medicine touched countless lives, from patients who benefited from their expertise to students inspired by their mentorship. Karenna’s work with openPPE during the pandemic exemplified her ability to blend science and service, while her NCAA award celebrated a career that balanced athletic prowess with academic excellence. In a 2023 interview, she credited her MIT soccer team, saying, “This recognition is a testament to my MIT women’s soccer family and all of the guidance, support, and friendship they have provided for me over the years.”

James Santoro’s quiet determination and financial acumen were poised to shape the investment world, while his love for Karenna grounded his ambitions. Jared and Alexia, with their shared passion for justice, were on paths to influence policy and law, their futures bright with possibility. Together, they embodied a spirit of excellence and empathy, leaving a void that will be felt for generations.

The Catskills, meant to host a celebration of life, instead bear witness to loss. Yet, in the stories of Michael, Joy, Karenna, James, Jared, and Alexia, there is a call to cherish each moment and pursue purpose with unwavering resolve.