On April 12, 2025, a tragic plane crash in Copake, New York, claimed the lives of six individuals, including former NCAA Woman of the Year Karenna Groff. The group was en route to the Catskills to celebrate a birthday and Passover when their Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft, piloted by Dr. Michael Groff, crashed approximately 10 miles from Columbia County Airport. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash, which may take up to two years to complete. AP News
Karenna Groff, 25, was a standout soccer player at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was named the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year. She was pursuing a medical degree at NYU Langone in the department of neurosurgery. ABC News Her partner, James Santoro, also 25 and an MIT graduate, worked as an investment associate in Connecticut. The couple had recently moved to Manhattan and were planning to get engaged this summer. New York Post
Also on board were Karenna’s parents, Dr. Michael Groff, a neurosurgeon and Harvard Medical School associate professor, and Dr. Joy Saini, a urologist. Her brother, Jared Groff, and his partner, Alexia Couyutas Duarte, were also among the victims. New York Post
The aircraft crashed after missing its approach to the airport. Despite warnings about low altitude, no distress call was made. The Sun The NTSB reported that the plane was traveling at high speeds before the crash. AP News
The loss of this accomplished family has deeply affected their communities. MIT and NYU have expressed profound sorrow, highlighting the significant contributions and potential of the victims. The Groff family’s dedication to medicine, education, and public service leaves a lasting legacy.
