Copake, NY – April 13, 2025 — A twin-engine passenger plane carrying six individuals crashed into a muddy field near Copake, New York on Saturday afternoon, killing at least one person and prompting a federal investigation. The accident marks another tragic chapter in what has been a troubling year for U.S. aviation safety.
The aircraft, a Mitsubishi MU-2B, went down at approximately 12:15 p.m. ET, about 50 miles south of Albany and just west of the Massachusetts state line. It had been en route to Columbia County Airport, located near Hudson, New York.
Local authorities have confirmed that one person was killed, though the total number of casualties and injuries remains unclear as search and rescue efforts continue.
During a press conference on Saturday afternoon, Columbia County Undersheriff Jacqueline Salvatore provided early updates on the scene and described the recovery conditions as extremely difficult.
“It’s in the middle of a field and it’s pretty muddy, so accessibility is difficult,” Salvatore told reporters. “There is snow on the ground, and rescue teams are working hard to navigate the terrain and assess the wreckage.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed that six people were on board at the time of the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is taking over the investigation and is expected to release a preliminary report in the coming days.
No details regarding the identities of the passengers or possible causes of the crash were available as of Saturday evening.
This crash is the latest in a growing number of fatal aviation incidents in the U.S. since the beginning of 2025. Just days earlier, a sightseeing helicopter plunged into the Hudson River in New York City, killing all six people aboard, including a veteran pilot and a visiting Spanish family.
The helicopter, a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV, disintegrated midair before crashing into the icy waters near Manhattan around 3:17 p.m. on Wednesday. All six occupants—pilot Sean Johnson, and Spanish executive Agustín Escobar, his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal, and their three children aged 4, 5, and 11—died as a result.
That tragedy shocked both New York City and Spain, as it occurred just hours after the family had arrived from Barcelona to begin their vacation.
According to the helicopter’s owner, Michael Roth, Johnson had radioed for clearance to land and requested fuel. “It should have taken him about three minutes to arrive, but 20 minutes later, he didn’t show,” Roth said.
The NTSB is expected to examine the maintenance records, pilot qualifications, weather data, and air traffic control communication related to the Copake crash. The Mitsubishi MU-2B, known for its high performance and complex handling characteristics, has been subject to stringent FAA training requirements in the past due to its safety record.
This incident will likely intensify scrutiny over the growing number of aviation mishaps in early 2025, with observers calling for heightened oversight, stricter training, and better infrastructure to prevent similar disasters.
The FAA has yet to comment publicly on whether any preliminary safety concerns have been identified in connection with Saturday’s crash.
