The recent crash near Craryville, New York, has stunned the community, grieving the loss of six individuals from the Groff family and friends bound for a holiday celebration.
Tragic Plane Crash Claims Lives of Celebrated MIT Family
Tragic Plane Crash Claims Lives of Celebrated MIT Family
A private plane crash in New York leaves six dead, including a notable MIT athlete and her family.
A horrific plane accident in upstate New York claimed the lives of all six people on board, including former Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) football star Karenna Groff, her family members, and her partner. The tragic incident took place on Saturday in an agricultural field, raising alarms within the aviation community.
The family, identified in a joint statement, comprised Karenna, her parents—distinguished doctors Dr. Michael Groff and Dr. Joy Saini—her brother Jared Groff, his partner Alexia Couyutas Duarte, and Karenna's partner, James Santoro. They were en route for a holiday gathering when disaster struck, with video footage revealing the plane's final moments before it plummeted onto the ground at high speed.
"They were a wonderful family," said John Santoro, James's father. He expressed the collective resonance of grief felt by many who recognized the potential and kindness that this family embodied. Karenna was a celebrated athlete, honored as the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) Woman of the Year in 2022, and had just begun medical school at New York University (NYU).
NTSB officials promptly initiated an investigation into the crash, revealing that the aircraft, a twin-engine Mitsubishi MU-2B, was "compressed and buckled" upon impact. It was flying under instrument flight rules when air traffic control attempted to reach the pilot but received no response. The family's decision to fly was assumed to be in clear weather conditions, yet the reasons behind the crash remain unclear at this time.
As authorities continue their investigation, they highlight that the aircraft had adhered to Federal Aviation Administration standards, including upgraded cockpit technology. The NTSB's final report, expected in 12 to 24 months, will offer insights into the causes and circumstances surrounding this tragic accident.
Just days prior to this incident, a separate crash involving a helicopter claimed six lives, adding to concerns about aviation safety in the region. The community mourns as friends and family prepare to remember a group whose contributions to society may never come to fruition.
