Tragedy in the skies: Former NCAA Woman of the Year and her family killed in New York plane crash

A devastating plane crash in upstate New York has claimed the lives of six individuals, including Karenna Groff, the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year and a former soccer standout at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The crash occurred Saturday afternoon, roughly 10 miles from Columbia County Airport near the town of Copake, New York.

Groff, a neurosurgery student at NYU Langone and the daughter of two prominent physicians, was among those tragically killed when the twin-engine turboprop aircraft went down in a muddy agricultural field. Her partner, James Santoro, was also on board and perished in the crash, along with Groff’s parents, Dr. Joy Saini and Dr. Michael Groff; her brother, Jared Groff; and Jared’s partner, Alexia Couyutas Duarte.

In a heartfelt statement released by the family, it was revealed that James Santoro had planned to propose to Karenna this summer. "He was most looking forward to proposing to his love, Karenna," the statement read.

Karenna Groff’s legacy extends far beyond her athletic accomplishments. At MIT, she captained the Division III soccer team and ranked second all-time in both goals and points. She was recognized as a second-team All-American during her junior year and a third-team All-American in her final season. Her NCAA Woman of the Year honor placed her among a select group of exceptional women, including Basketball Hall of Famer Rebecca Lobo and Olympic gold medalist Kimberly Black.

The family described the victims as “six brilliant, dynamic, and loving people,” asking for privacy as they grieve and make preparations for funeral services and memorials.

The aircraft had departed from Westchester County Airport and was en route to Columbia County Airport when the pilot—identified in the family statement as Dr. Michael Groff, an experienced flyer who had been piloting since age sixteen—requested a missed approach. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the pilot had completed additional flight training in October 2024.

Lead NTSB investigator Albert Nixon reported that the pilot received a low altitude alert during the flight’s final approach. Air traffic controllers attempted multiple times to relay the warning, but received no response. “There was no distress call,” Nixon confirmed. The aircraft then crashed at a high rate of descent, with weather conditions in the area reportedly deteriorating at the time.

NTSB investigators will remain on-site for up to five days to collect evidence, with a preliminary report expected within 30 days.

The tragedy has sent shockwaves through both the academic and athletic communities. Karenna Groff was not only an accomplished athlete but also an aspiring neurosurgeon following in the footsteps of her parents. Her mother, Dr. Joy Saini, was a respected pelvic surgeon, and her father, Dr. Michael Groff, was a neurosurgeon with a passion for aviation.

This loss is deeply felt by those who knew the Groff family, as well as by the broader MIT and NCAA communities. The lives lost in this tragedy were filled with promise, passion, and purpose—a legacy that will be remembered long after the wreckage is cleared.

As the investigation continues, friends, family, and admirers across the country are mourning the sudden loss of six extraordinary lives.