The accident has left the academic, medical, and sports communities reeling from the loss of a family widely known for its excellence and service.

The Mitsubishi MU-2B turboprop aircraft crashed on Friday, April 12, around 3:00 p.m., in a remote field in Copake, just 10 miles south of the Columbia County Airport. The plane had departed from Westchester County Airport and was approaching its destination when it suddenly lost altitude and went down.

Karenna Groff’s NCAA Woman of the Year award
Karenna Groff’s NCAA Woman of the Year award

Who Was Karenna Groff?

Karenna Groff, 25, was a standout in every sense of the word. A former MIT soccer star, she earned All-American honors and was recognized for her leadership, academic performance, and community impact by being named the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year, one of the most prestigious honors in college athletics.

Born into a family of accomplished professionals, Karenna majored in biomedical engineering at MIT while co-founding openPPE, a nonprofit that produced reusable protective equipment for frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. She was also pursuing her medical degree at NYU Grossman School of Medicine at the time of her death, aiming for a career that bridged technology and human health.

Friends and mentors described her as “relentlessly brilliant,” “kind-hearted,” and “a natural leader,” someone whose potential was limitless.

Details of the Plane Crash

The private aircraft was piloted by Dr. Michael Groff, Karenna’s father, a highly experienced neurosurgeon and certified pilot with over a decade of flying experience. The plane had been in compliance with FAA regulations and had recently undergone cockpit upgrades.

According to initial reports from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB):

  • The aircraft made a missed approach near Columbia County Airport.

  • Air traffic control issued several low altitude warnings shortly before radar contact was lost.

  • Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft descending rapidly, then disappearing behind a tree line before the crash.

The aircraft was largely intact on impact, suggesting no mid-air breakup. Weather conditions were reported as fair, though investigators are exploring visibility and wind shear as possible contributing factors. A full NTSB investigation is underway and is expected to take 12–24 months for final conclusions.

Karenna Groff, then an MIT graduate student and soccer player
Karenna Groff, then an MIT graduate student and soccer player

Other Victims Identified

The tragedy claimed the lives of six individuals — all members of a close-knit, high-achieving family. Authorities confirmed the identities as follows:

  • Dr. Michael Groff (61): Father of Karenna, an acclaimed neurosurgeon affiliated with Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

  • Dr. Joy Saini (54): Karenna’s mother, a prominent urogynecologist and founder of Boston Pelvic Health and Wellness, known for her advocacy on women’s health.

  • Jared Groff (27): Karenna’s brother, a Swarthmore College graduate working as a paralegal, preparing for law school.

  • Alexia Couyutas Duarte (26): Jared’s partner and a fellow Swarthmore alum, recently accepted to Harvard Law School.

  • James Santoro (26): Karenna’s boyfriend and an MIT graduate in mechanical engineering, employed as an investment associate in New York City.

The group was reportedly traveling together to attend a family birthday celebration and Passover dinner in the Hudson Valley when the crash occurred.

Community in Mourning

In the wake of the tragedy, tributes have poured in from across the country. MIT released a statement calling Karenna Groff "a force of nature who lifted others with her intellect, heart, and integrity.” NYU's School of Medicine said she was “an irreplaceable talent whose compassion matched her academic excellence.”

Dozens of her former teammates, professors, and classmates have posted tributes online, describing Karenna as a "bright light" and "once-in-a-generation kind of person."

Video shows the moment a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River:

Investigation Continues

While the cause of the crash remains under investigation, early signs do not point to mechanical failure. Both the FAA and NTSB are combing through flight data, maintenance records, and weather logs. Dr. Groff was known to be meticulous and cautious as a pilot, raising questions about whether unexpected weather, navigation issues, or human error played a role.

The Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft has had a historically mixed safety record. However, recent FAA guidelines have significantly improved its reliability — provided the aircraft is operated by properly trained pilots.

A Legacy That Will Endure

Karenna Groff’s story was only just beginning. From the soccer fields of MIT to the hospital wards of New York, she embodied the promise of a better future led by science, service, and compassion. Her passing — and that of her extraordinary family — leaves behind a gaping void, but also a powerful legacy.

As the investigation continues, loved ones and admirers around the world are left grappling with heartbreak and questions, even as they celebrate lives lived with unmatched dedication and purpose.

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