Mon Apr 14 13:33:05 UTC 2025: **Prominent Indian-American Family Perishes in Upstate New York Plane Crash**

**New York, April 14, 2025** – A renowned Indian-American family, including a leading urogynecologist and her neuroscientist husband, perished in a tragic plane crash in upstate New York on Saturday, April 12th. The victims were identified as Dr. Joy Saini, a highly respected urogynecologist; her husband, Dr. Michael Groff, Executive Medical Director of Neurosciences at Rochester Regional Health; their daughter, Karenna Groff, a former MIT soccer player and 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year; and their son, Jared Groff, a paralegal. Also killed were Jared’s partner, Alexia Couyutas Duarte, and Karenna’s boyfriend, James Santoro, an MIT graduate.

The family was traveling in a twin-engine Mitsubishi MU-2B-40 private plane owned by Dr. Groff when it crashed near Craryville, New York, while en route to the Catskills for a birthday celebration and Passover. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the pilot reported missing the initial approach to Columbia County Airport shortly before the crash. The NTSB is currently investigating the cause of the accident.

Dr. Saini, a double board-certified physician, was a pioneer in urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery, holding key positions at several prestigious medical institutions, including the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center and New York University Medical Center. Dr. Groff was a highly regarded neurosurgeon known for his clinical excellence and compassionate care.

The loss of this accomplished family has sent shockwaves through the medical community and beyond. Tributes are pouring in, highlighting the significant contributions of Dr. Saini and Dr. Groff to their respective fields and the bright futures of their children. The incident underscores the inherent risks associated with private aviation and the devastating consequences of such accidents. The NTSB investigation is expected to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the crash.

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