Tragic Plane Crash in New York Claims Six Lives, Including Punjab-Origin Surgeon and Family

New York, USA – In a heartbreaking aviation accident, six individuals lost their lives when a small private aircraft crashed near the Columbia County Airport in New York on Saturday. Among the victims was Dr. Joy Saini, a highly respected urogynecologist and pelvic reconstructive surgeon of Punjabi origin, along with her husband, two children, and their partners.

Authorities reported that the ill-fated Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft had departed from Westchester Airport, located in the outskirts of New York City. According to Albert Nixon, an investigator from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the pilot – identified as Dr. Saini’s husband, Michael Groff – had attempted a landing at Columbia County Airport but missed the initial approach. He then requested a second attempt, but air traffic control noted the plane was flying unusually low and attempted to send an alert. Tragically, there was no response, and the aircraft crashed approximately 10 miles from the airport, close to the Massachusetts border.

The victims include Dr. Saini, her husband Michael Groff – a neurosurgeon and seasoned pilot – their daughter Karena Groff, a medical student, and her partner James Santoro, an investment banker. Their son, Jared Groff, and his partner Alexia Quiutas Duarte, a law student, also perished in the crash.

A statement from the family shared that Michael had a passion for flying since his teenage years, having learned it from his father. The loss of such a brilliant and accomplished family has deeply shaken their loved ones and the wider community.

Surviving family members include Dr. Saini and Michael’s younger daughter Anika, and Dr. Saini’s mother, Kuljit Singh, who were not aboard the aircraft at the time.

This devastating crash marks the second fatal aviation incident in the U.S. within just three days. On Friday, a Cessna 310 crashed in South Florida, killing three people, and a day earlier, a helicopter accident in the Hudson River claimed six lives.