A Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft crashed in a field in Copake, New York, while traveling from Westchester County Airport to Columbia County Airport on 12 March.
According to the National Transportation and Safety Board, the aircraft was due to land at Columbia County Airport but crashed roughly 10 miles south in an agricultural field.
The aircraft, a twin-engine turboprop Mitsubishi MU-2B-40 Solitaire, crashed in an open field near Copake, New York, killing all six people on board. Copake is located approximately 50 miles south of Albany, near the Massachusetts border.
Crash Site near Copake, New York
The light aircraft was attempting to make for Columbia County Airport in Hudson when it went down around 12:15 pm local time. It is understood that the aircraft was originally bound for Norwood Memorial Airport, MA. The plane crash in Copake has left the local community in shock, and authorities are working to uncover the cause.
The aircraft, registered as N635TA, was privately owned by Dynamic Spine Solutions LLC. It took off from Westchester County Airport in White Plains shortly after 11:30 a.m. It was planned to land at the diversion airport Columbia County Airport by 12:06 p.m. the aircraft was operating in conditions of low visibility, which may have prompted the diversion.
Flight data shows the plane veered east before disappearing from radar near Copake, about 30 miles southeast of its destination. No distress call was reported before the crash.
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Six on Board Deceased via the Plane Crash in Copake…
The victims were family members and their partners, including a neurosurgeon, a pelvic surgeon, their daughter—a medical student and former MIT soccer star—and her partner. They were heading to a 25th birthday celebration and Passover Seder.
Furthermore, emergency responders faced challenges reaching the crash site near Two Town Road. Muddy terrain, snow, and poor weather slowed efforts.
The aircraft was destroyed, but no structures on the ground were damaged. Witnesses described a somber scene as authorities secured the area.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating the plane crash in Copake. The NTSB took the lead, sending a team to the site on April 12. They held a media briefing the next day, but no cause has been determined yet.
Investigators are examining flight data, weather conditions, and the aircraft’s maintenance history to piece together what happened.
The Copake community is mourning the loss. Local leaders expressed condolences, noting the tragedy’s impact. The victims’ contributions, from medicine to athletics, have been widely recognized, deepening the sense of grief.
As the investigation continues, questions linger about why the airplane diverted and what led to the crash. The NTSB expects to release a preliminary report soon, but a full investigation could take months.
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