A tragic plane crash in upstate New York has claimed the lives of six people, including celebrated former Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) athlete Karenna Groff, her parents, her brother, and two others, according to officials and a family statement.
The private aircraft went down in an open field near Craryville, New York, on Saturday, killing all on board. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported the passengers were traveling for a holiday celebration.
A video of the plane’s final moments, obtained by authorities, showed the aircraft was intact before plummeting into the ground at a high rate of descent, the NTSB said.
Victims Identified by Grieving Families
A joint family statement confirmed the victims as:
- Karenna Groff, a former MIT football player
- Her parents, Dr. Michael Groff and Dr. Joy Saini
- Her brother, Jared Groff, and his partner, Alexia Couyutas Duarte
- Karenna’s partner, James Santoro
“They were a wonderful family,”
said John Santoro, father of James, speaking to the Associated Press.
“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.”
A Legacy of Excellence and Promise
Karenna, known for her remarkable academic and athletic achievements, was named NCAA Woman of the Year in 2022 during her senior year at MIT. After graduating, she enrolled in New York University’s medical school, where she continued to inspire those around her.
“Karenna demonstrated exceptional skill and unwavering passion towards the care of patients and the mission of our institution.
We will remember her for her warmth, her grace, her kindness, her outstanding accomplishments, and the pure joy she brought to our community,”
an NYU spokesperson shared in a statement.
Her partner, James Santoro, was also an MIT graduate. Jared Groff, Karenna’s brother, worked as a paralegal, while his partner, Alexia, was preparing to begin Harvard Law School.
Both of Karenna’s parents were prominent doctors.
Crash Details and Ongoing Investigation
The New York Times reported that Dr. Michael Groff was piloting the aircraft, described as a twin-engine Mitsubishi MU-2B. While the family noted that Dr. Groff was “experienced,” neither the family nor authorities have confirmed if he was flying the plane at the time of the crash.
During a Sunday press conference, NTSB official Todd Inman described the crash site:
“The aircraft was compressed, buckled, and embedded in the terrain”
in a muddy agricultural field.
The crash occurred around midday as the group approached Columbia County Airport. Inman added that air traffic control made several attempts to contact the pilot, but received no response and no distress call was made.
The plane was operating under instrument flight rules (IFR), rather than visual flight rules (VFR). Investigators are still determining whether weather or visibility may have played a role.
The aircraft was also equipped with an upgraded cockpit that met Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification standards.
The NTSB investigation is ongoing. A final report identifying the probable cause is expected in 12 to 24 months.
A Week of Aviation Tragedies
This devastating crash comes just days after another tragedy in New York, in which six people, including a family of Spanish tourists, died in a helicopter crash.
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