A tragic plane crash in upstate New York has robbed the world of six “brilliant, dynamic, and loving people,” including Karenna Groff, the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year and MIT soccer star.
See the tweet below!
This devastating incident cuts short the lives of several remarkable individuals poised to contribute positively to society.
Karenna’s tragic death is a monumental loss that highlights ongoing concerns about private aviation safety.
A twin-engine Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft crashed in Copake, New York, near the Massachusetts line, claiming the lives of six individuals, Karenna Groff among them, just days before her 25th birthday.
The plane embarked from White Plains, NY, destined for a celebratory birthday gathering and Passover holiday.
As the aircraft neared Columbia County Airport, tragedy struck around 10 miles away, when the pilot, Dr. Michael Groff, radioed for a new landing approach.
The pilot, Karenna’s father and an experienced neurosurgeon, encountered difficulties as air traffic controllers unsuccessfully attempted to alert him of the aircraft’s low altitude.
Tragically, the communication was met with silence, and the plane descended rapidly before its aftermath was discovered in a flat agricultural field.
Video evidence confirmed the aircraft remained intact before its high-speed impact.
Onboard were Karenna’s entire family, including Dr. Michael Groff, her mother Dr. Joy Saini, her brother Jared Groff, her boyfriend James Santoro, and Jared’s partner Alexia Couyutas Duarte.
John Santoro, father of Karenna’s boyfriend, expressed his sorrow, stating, “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.”
Karenna, a standout MIT soccer player, was known for her dedication on and off the field.
Her work during the COVID-19 pandemic, including co-founding openPPE, showcased her commitment to community service which won her the NCAA Woman of the Year award.
A statement from Karenna’s honors reads, “Really, 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.”
The National Transportation Safety Board has initiated an investigation, with a complete accident report expected to take months.
An NTSB official reported that the aircraft “appears to show that the aircraft was intact and crashed at a high rate of descent into the ground.”
Remembering the departed, their families requested privacy, emphasizing their brilliance and the loving memories forever cherished.
A family was killed when a private plane crashed in the Hudson Valley over the weekend.
One of the victims was Karenna Groff, a former MIT soccer player named the 2022 NCAA woman of the year. Tap here to read the full story: https://t.co/zgPiKzuoir pic.twitter.com/DFsYpeqkxu
— NYup.com (@newyorkupstate) April 14, 2025
