On Saturday, authorities confirmed the identities of six people killed in a plane crash in New York, including a notable former student-athlete renowned for her achievements.

Identities of the Victims

The crash, which occurred around 12:15 PM local time as the aircraft approached its destination, claimed the lives of:

• Karenna Groff: A distinguished former soccer player at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year.
• Dr. Michael Groff: Karenna’s father.
• Dr. Joy Saini: Karenna’s mother.
• Jared Groff: Karenna’s brother.
• Alexia Couyutas Duarte: Jared’s partner.
• James Santoro: Karenna’s boyfriend.

Details Surrounding the Crash

The Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft departed from Westchester County Airport in White Plains earlier that day, heading towards Columbia County Airport in Hudson, New York. As indicated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the plane crashed into a muddy field in Copake, approximately ten miles from its intended destination.

Prior to the incident, the pilot had communicated with air traffic control, reporting an initial approach failure and requesting an alternative plan. However, subsequent attempts by controllers to re-establish contact went unanswered.

Investigation and Findings

Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the crash, a process that may extend up to 24 months. Initial findings revealed that the aircraft was discovered in a “compressed and buckled” condition upon landing. Video footage captured prior to the crash indicated the plane descended rapidly into the ground.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) noted that the plane was equipped with updated cockpit technology compliant with FAA standards and that the pilot was operating under instrument flight rules at the time of the crash.

Community Mourns the Loss

John Santoro, father of victim James Santoro, expressed his profound sorrow regarding the tragedy. He described the Groff family as “wonderful” and highlighted their potential to positively impact the world.

“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,” Santoro conveyed to The Associated Press. “We’re all personally devastated.”