Copake, New York – April 13, 2025 — A devastating plane crash in rural upstate New York has claimed the lives of six people, including a celebrated former MIT student-athlete and her family, as they traveled for a birthday celebration and the upcoming Passover holiday.
The accident occurred just after noon on Saturday when a twin-engine Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft went down in a muddy field near the town of Copake, close to the New York-Massachusetts border. All six people on board were killed, according to local authorities and family statements.
Among the victims was Karenna Groff, 25, a standout soccer player from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who was honored as the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year for her exceptional achievements in academics, athletics, leadership, and community service. A native of Weston, Massachusetts, Groff had recently begun her studies at the New York University School of Medicine.
Also on board were her parents — Dr. Michael Groff, a prominent neuroscientist, and Dr. Joy Saini, a practicing urogynecologist — along with Karenna’s longtime boyfriend, James Santoro, an MIT graduate and former lacrosse player, and two other yet-unidentified family members.
The plane had departed from White Plains, New York, and was headed to Columbia County Airport, a short flight intended to bring the family to the Catskill Mountains for a weekend of celebration and observance. Tragically, the aircraft crashed roughly 20 miles south of its destination, in a field so muddy that first responders described significant challenges reaching the wreckage.
John Santoro, James’s father, confirmed the identities of the victims in an interview with the Associated Press, expressing heartbreak over the loss of what he described as “a wonderful, kind, and brilliant group of people.”
“They were a wonderful family,” Santoro said. “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 Groff was known for her remarkable leadership both on and off the field. While at MIT, she majored in biomedical engineering and was recognized as an All-American in women’s soccer. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she co-founded openPPE, a project that developed improved protective mask designs for frontline workers. Her efforts earned widespread recognition and ultimately led to her receiving the NCAA Woman of the Year award in 2023, celebrating her impact across athletic, academic, and humanitarian spheres.
In a past interview, Groff credited her teammates and the MIT community for her achievements, saying, “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.”
After graduation, Groff and Santoro moved to New York City, where she pursued a medical degree and he began work as an investment associate at Silver Point Capital, a hedge fund based in Greenwich, Connecticut.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the crash and was expected to provide further updates by Sunday evening. Columbia County Undersheriff Jacqueline Salvatore described the site as difficult to access, with soft terrain complicating rescue and recovery efforts.
The tragic accident has left two families—and the broader MIT community—in mourning. Funeral arrangements are currently underway. “The 25 years we had with James were the best years of our lives,” said John Santoro. “The joy and love he brought us will be enough to last a lifetime.”
As investigators work to determine what caused the crash, tributes continue to pour in for the victims, whose lives embodied excellence, service, and promise now heartbreakingly cut short.
AP
