Medical, scientific, and athletic communities mourn devastating loss
A Family Journey Ends in Heartbreak
A private plane crash in Copake, New York, took the lives of six family members on Saturday. The group was flying to the Catskills to celebrate a birthday and Passover. Their Mitsubishi MU2B aircraft crashed around noon, just 10 miles from Columbia County Airport.
The victims included Dr. Michael Groff, the plane’s pilot and a respected neurosurgeon. His wife, Dr. Joy Saini, was a leading urogynecologist. Their daughter, 25-year-old Karenna Groff, was a former MIT athlete and award-winning scholar. Karenna’s boyfriend, James Santoro, an MIT graduate, was also among the victims. Two other family members, yet to be publicly identified, were also killed.
Accomplishments That Touched Many Lives
Karenna Groff stood out as an extraordinary young woman. She graduated from MIT with a degree in biomedical engineering. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she co-founded openPPE, an initiative that developed improved protective masks for healthcare workers.
Her leadership and innovation earned her the NCAA Woman of the Year award in 2023. Karenna credited her MIT women’s soccer team for the support that helped her succeed. An All-American athlete, she balanced sports and academics with rare grace.
After graduation, she pursued a medical degree at New York University. She lived in Manhattan with her partner, James Santoro, who also graduated from MIT. James, a former lacrosse player, worked as an investment associate at Silver Point.
Flight Ends in Disaster
The family had taken off from White Plains, New York, earlier that day. Dr. Groff was piloting the aircraft. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the plane made an initial approach to Columbia County Airport but did not land.
Air traffic controllers reported a missed approach and granted a second landing attempt. During this maneuver, a low-altitude alert was triggered. Controllers tried to contact the pilot three times but received no response.
Video footage reviewed by investigators showed the aircraft intact before it entered a rapid descent. It crashed into a muddy field, leaving little time for rescue or response. No distress call was made.
Experienced Pilot, Safe Aircraft
Dr. Michael Groff held a valid pilot’s license and had extensive flight experience. NTSB officials confirmed that the Mitsubishi MU2B met all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety standards.
NTSB member Todd Inman stated that no mechanical issues were reported prior to the crash. Investigators are now focusing on weather conditions, pilot decision-making, and aircraft performance.
Columbia County Undersheriff Jacqueline Salvatore noted that recovery efforts were slowed by muddy terrain at the crash site. The investigation is expected to last about a week.
Grief Spreads Across Communities
The news has devastated family, friends, and colleagues of the victims. John Santoro, James’s father, expressed his heartbreak in a statement to the Associated Press.
“The 25 years we had with James were the best years of our lives,” he said. He described the couple as full of life, kindness, and love. “Their legacy will live on in those they touched.”
Funeral arrangements are being finalized as loved ones come together to mourn. The loss is especially painful for those in the medical, academic, and athletic fields, where this family had made lasting contributions.
A Lasting Impact
Though their lives were cut short, the achievements and spirit of the Groff and Santoro families will not be forgotten. Their dedication to helping others, both in medicine and in community service, continues to inspire.
This tragedy serves as a reminder of life’s fragility—and the remarkable power of compassion, brilliance, and love that one family shared with the world.
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