On April 12, 2025, a heartbreaking plane crash occurred in Copake, New York, which killed six individuals, including well-known doctors and former NCAA athletes. The crash involved a Mitsubishi MU-2B-40 Solitaire aircraft operated by Dynamic Spine Solutions LLC that crashed into a field near Two Town Road, approximately 10 miles from Columbia County Airport.
Victims Identified
The victims of New York plane crash have been identified as:
- Dr. Michael Groff: Neurosurgeon and executive medical director of neuroscience at Rochester Regional Health.
- Dr. Joy Saini: Urologist.
- Karenna Groff: MIT graduate and former NCAA Woman of the Year.
- James Santoro: Karenna’s boyfriend and hedge fund employee.
- Jared Groff: Michael’s son.
- Alexia Couyutas Duarte: Jared’s partner.
The group was traveling to celebrate a birthday and Passover in the Catskills when tragedy struck. The plane was in the midst of its second flight of the day, having previously flown from Norwood Memorial Airport in Massachusetts to White Plains, New York. The crash happened at around 12:15 p.m.
Who was Dr. Joy Saini?
Dr. Joy Saini was a native of Punjab, India, but later moved to America with her parents Kuljit and Gurdev Singh. According to Mid Hudson News, she trained in medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, where she met her husband Michael Groff. She specialized in urogynecology and pelvic surgery and went on to found the Boston Pelvic Health and Wellness clinic.
Investigation Underway
The NTSB is leading the investigation with respect to the cause of this crash. A preliminary report indicates that the pilot requested to be rerouted to a new approach after missing the initial approach. The airplane was warned about low altitude several times, but did not respond with a distress call. The airplane, in fast pace, before crashing when investigators are looking into weather possibilities, was under the control of the pilot. The NTSB further indicated that the investigation might take 24 months to conclude.
Responses from the Community
The New York plane crash has shaken both medical and academic communities. MIT sent condolences saying, “Karenna was an All-American soccer player and recently began medical school at NYU.” Father John Santoro said, “Our suffering’s just begun,” as he recalled the couple and the Groff family as bright, altruistic people soon to make a positive impact on the world.
That’s part of a recent series of aviation accidents in the United States, which put a touch of distress regarding air travel safety. The calls from authorities now include high scrutiny and safety measures to deter such tragedy from happening again.
