A Family's Tragic End: A Look at the Upstate New York Plane Crash

A plane crash in upstate New York took the lives of six people. The group included a former soccer star and a medical student. Karenna Groff was a standout athlete and scholar. She was a graduate student at MIT and played soccer there. She was also a medical student at NYU Langone. Groff was more than just an athlete. She was the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year. This award is given to one woman each year. She was among the three finalists from Divisions I, II, and III. The honor has been given since 1991. Past winners include Basketball Hall of Famer Rebecca Lobo and Olympic gold medal swimmer Kimberly Black. The crash happened near the town of Copake. It was about 10 miles from the Columbia County Airport. The plane was a twin-engine turboprop. It had departed from the Westchester County Airport. The pilot reported a "missed approach" and requested another try. The radar showed a low-altitude alert. The air traffic controller tried to contact the pilot. There was no response from the pilot. The plane crashed at a high rate of descent in a flat agricultural field. The plane was carrying a family of six. Karenna Groff's partner, James Santoro, was on board. He was planning to propose to Groff this summer. The family included Groff's parents, Joy Saini and Michael Groff. Joy Saini was a pelvic surgeon. Michael Groff was a neurosurgeon. He was also an experienced pilot. He had been flying since he was 16. Groff's brother, Jared Groff, and his partner, Alexia Couyutas Duarte, were also on the plane. The family asked for privacy during this difficult time. Information about funerals and memorials will be shared later. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash. They will provide more information on Monday afternoon. The family remembered the six victims as brilliant, dynamic, and loving people. This tragic event highlights the risks of air travel. It also shows the importance of safety measures in aviation. The family's loss is a reminder of how quickly life can change. It is a call to cherish every moment with loved ones.