Plane Crash Kills Delco College Graduates

SWARTHMORE, PA — Several members of the Swarthmore College alumni community were killed in a plane crash over the weekend, according to the school.

Swarthmore College President Val Smith and Stephanie Ives, Vice President for Student Affairs, in a letter to the school's community, announced the deaths of three alumni.

Among those killed were Alexia Couyutas Duarte, Class of 2023; Jared Groff, Class of 2022; and Jared Groff's father Michael Groff, class of 1988.

Also killed were Karenna Groff, Joy Saini, and James Santoro.

Karenna Groff is Michael Groff's daughter and Jared Groff's sister, and Joy Saini was Michael Groff's wife, as well as mother to Karenna and Jared Groff.

Michael Groff was a neurosurgeon and the pilot who got his license at the age of 16. Saini was an accomplished pelvic surgeon.

Jared Groff was a paralegal who was weighing law school acceptance for the fall, and Couyutas Duarte, Jared Groff's girlfriend, was passionate about immigration law and policy and was accepted to Harvard Law School this fall.

"We are devastated by the loss of our beloved family members Michael, Jared, and Karenna Groff, Joy Saini, Alexia Couyutas Duarte, and James Santoro, who died tragically in Saturday afternoon's plane crash in Columbia County, New York. We will remember them as the six brilliant, dynamic, and loving people that they were," according to the family statement.

Santoro, Karenna Groff's partner, was a graduate of the Delbarton School and MIT, where he studied finance, and employed as an Investment Associate at Silver Point Capital.

Couyutas Duarte's sister, Ariana Couyutas Duarte ’26, was studying abroad when the crash occurred, according to the school.

"In the face of such devastating news, we recognize and celebrate all that these extraordinary individuals meant to us, as well as support those who knew, mentored, and loved them," the school's statement reads. "And they were extraordinary."

According to Swarthmore, Alexia Couyutas Duarte was a first-generation American who graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a bachelor of arts in economics and political science. After graduation, she began her career as a legal intake specialist at the Rian Immigrant Center in Boston. Most recently, Alexia worked as a paralegal in the pro bono initiative unit at MetroWest Legal Services in Framingham, Massachusetts. She had planned to attend Harvard Law School this fall.

Jared Groff, originally from Weston, Massachusetts, graduated with a bachelor of arts in economics and political science, the school said. He was a four-year member of the men’s basketball team and contributed to squads that won a Centennial Conference championship and reached the NCAA Division III National Championship game for the first time in program history. Jared most recently worked as a paralegal at DW Partners in New York and planned to attend law school this fall.

Michael Groff was a neurosurgeon and the executive medical director of neuroscience at Rochester Regional Health, according to the college.

"He and Joy, a pelvic surgeon and founder of Boston Pelvic Health and Wellness, met while training at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine," the school said. "Their survivors include their daughter, Anika, who was recently admitted to Swarthmore’s Class of 2029."

The crash happened around noon on Saturday when a Mitsubishi MU-2B-40 with tail number N635TA, crashed 10 miles from the Columbia County airport in New York.

The personal plane had left Westchester County Airport and were trying to land at the Columbia Airport where "they had relatives who were in the area," said Todd Inman with the National Transportation Safety Board(NTSB) during a press conference on Sunday.

"They were coming in for a holiday celebration with family," said Inman.

Albert Nixon with the NTSB said that during the plane's approach to the Columbia County Airport, the pilot reported a missed approach.

"He requested vectors for another approach, and as he was being vectored, the radar indicated a low-altitude alert," said Nixon.

The air traffic controller tried to relay the alert to the pilot and also tried to contact them three more times.

"Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful. There was no response from the pilot, and there was no distress call," said Nixon.

A video near the area captured the crash in its final seconds. The plane crashed in a flat field about 100 yards in length "with the aircraft being compressed, buckled, and embedded into the terrain.," said Inman.

"The video seen appears to show the aircraft was intact and crashed at a high rate of descent into the ground," said Inman.

The plane was destroyed and the pilot and five passengers were fatally injured.

"I want to express our sincere condolences for the families and survivors of the families and everyone who knew someone who perished in this accident. We are truly sorry anytime anyone has to go through this," said Inman.

NTSB investigators will remain at the scene for one collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses. All aspects of this accident remain under investigation.

A preliminary report is expected within 30 days from the date of the accident. A probable cause of the crash and any contributing factors will come in the final report, which is expected in 12 to 24 months, according to the NTSB.

"On behalf of everyone at Swarthmore, our hearts go out to the families and friends of those we lost on Saturday, and to everyone affected by their tragic passing," the college's statement reads. "Please join us in sending them peace and light."