A tragic plane crash in the United States has claimed the lives of six people, including an Indian-origin doctor and her family. The accident happened on Saturday, April 12, in upstate New York, when a private plane crashed in a muddy field in Copake, near the border of Massachusetts.
The aircraft, a twin-engine Mitsubishi MU-2B, was on its way to Columbia County Airport from Westchester County Airport. On board was a close-knit family of doctors and talented young students, heading to the Catskills to spend Passover together, reports said.
Among the victims was Dr Joy Saini, who was born in Punjab, India, and moved to the US with her parents, Kuljit and Gurdev Singh. She was a well-known urogynecologist and founder of Boston Pelvic Health and Wellness.
Joy studied medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, where she met her husband, Dr Michael Groff, a respected neurosurgeon and experienced pilot. He was flying the plane at the time of the crash.
Also on the flight were their children Karenna and Jared Groff. Karenna was a brilliant student and former MIT soccer player who was named the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year. Jared graduated from Swarthmore College in 2022 and worked as a paralegal.
We are heartbroken to share the tragic news of the sudden passing of Dr. Michael Groff, his wife Dr. Joy Saini, their daughter Karenna, their son Jared, and two close family friends in a plane crash near Copake, New York.
— AANS/CNS Spine Section (@spinesection) April 14, 2025
A dedicated neurosurgeon, educator, and leader, Mike… pic.twitter.com/maM3uRQ0ZB
Karenna’s boyfriend, James Santoro, also a recent MIT graduate, and Jared’s partner, Alexia Couyutas Duarte, who graduated from Swarthmore and was planning to join Harvard Law School later this year, were also on board. Sadly, all six lost their lives in the crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the incident.
Officials said that just before the crash, the pilot had informed air traffic control that he had missed the approach to the airport and was trying to land again. While controllers were preparing a new plan for landing, they tried to alert the pilot three times about the aircraft being too low, but there was no response. There was also no distress call.
A video captured the final moments of the flight, showing the aircraft intact but descending very rapidly before it hit the ground. The wreckage was found deeply buried and damaged in the muddy terrain.
The weather and low visibility may have played a role in the crash, as the pilot was flying under instrument flight rules, which rely on cockpit instruments rather than visual cues. The plane had been upgraded with modern technology and met US aviation safety standards.
Joy is survived by her younger daughter Anika Groff, her mother Kuljit, her siblings Prashant Saini, Rinne Groff, and Yram Groff, and her in-laws, Stephen and Gebena Groff.
