The Federal Aviation Administration reported that a plane carrying six people crashed in an open field near Copake, New York, on Saturday.
At least one person was killed, Columbia County Undersheriff Jacqueline Salvatore said at a news conference Saturday afternoon, but it was unclear how many other passengers survived. The National Transportation Safety Board announced at a press conference on Sunday that all six people had been removed from the scene and that no one had been hospitalized.
Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board, which is leading the investigation into the crash, refused to confirm the fatalities and instead referred to local authorities.
According to the NTSB, the passengers were family members and partners traveling together for a holiday celebration.
Officials did not release the names of the victims, but a family statement identified them as Karenna Groff, her father, Michael Groff; James Santoro, Karenna Groff’s partner; Jared Groff, Karenna Groff’s brother; Alexia Couyutas Duarte, Jared Groff’s oartner; and Joy Saini, Michael Groff’s wife and Karenna and Jared Groff’s mother.
Saini was “an accomplished pelvic surgeon and the founder of Boston Pelvic Health and Wellness,” according to his family. Michael Groff was a neurosurgeon and, according to the family statement, “an experienced pilot, who fell in love with flying after being taught by his father at the age of sixteen.”
Karenna Groff was a soccer player at MIT who was named the NCAA Woman of the Year in 2022. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biological engineering in 2022 and a master’s degree in biological engineering the following year, according to the school. She was enrolled in the NYU Grossman School of Medicine when she died.
“Karenna demonstrated exceptional skill and an unwavering commitment to patient care and our institution’s mission.” “We will remember her for her warmth, grace, kindness, outstanding accomplishments, and the pure joy she brought to our community,” an NYU spokesperson stated.
According to a video obtained by the NTSB, the aircraft was intact before colliding at a rapid rate of descent. The pilot received a low altitude alert, and air traffic control attempted to contact him several times, NTSB officials said Sunday, but there was no response or distress call.
Salvatore told reporters that the plane did not collide with any structures on its way down, and the crash site is difficult to access due to muddy conditions. The day before investigators arrived, Salvatore stated that it was unclear what caused the plane to crash.
After receiving a 911 call around noon, officials from the sheriff’s office, New York State Police, and a local fire department responded.
According to the FAA, the Mitsubishi MU-2B-40 was flying to Columbia County Airport in Hudson, New York.
According to FlightAware, the same model plane took off from Westchester County Airport shortly after 11:30 a.m. and is scheduled to land at 12:06 p.m. After turning east, the flight path comes to an end a short distance from the airport.