A twin-engine Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft crashed in a muddy field near Copake in upstate New York on Saturday, April 12, 2025, resulting in at least one confirmed fatality. Initial reports indicated two people were aboard the private plane, but later updates from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revised this number to six passengers. Emergency responders faced significant challenges accessing the crash site due to muddy terrain and adverse weather conditions. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken the lead in investigating the incident, with a team deployed to the crash site. This accident occurred just days after another aviation tragedy in the region when a tourist helicopter crashed into the Hudson River, killing all six people on board.
Incident Overview and Timeline
Flight Path and Crash Location
The Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft departed from Westchester County Airport in White Plains, New York, shortly after 11:30 AM on Saturday. The plane was en route to Columbia County Airport near Hudson but crashed approximately 30 miles away from its intended destination. The aircraft went down in a muddy field near Copake, close to Two Town Road, at approximately 12:15 PM local time.
Copake is located about 50 miles south of Albany, near the Massachusetts state line. According to flight tracking data from Flightradar24, the aircraft was traveling northward toward Hudson before veering eastward around noon, shortly after which it disappeared from tracking systems near Copake. The plane did not damage any buildings or structures in the area upon impact.
Aircraft Specifications
The aircraft involved was identified as a Mitsubishi MU-2B, a twin-engine turboprop business aircraft. FAA records indicate that the plane was registered to a company located outside of Boston. Flight tracking data from FlightAware shows the aircraft taking off from Westchester County Airport with a scheduled landing time of 12:06 PM at Columbia County Airport.
Casualties and Passenger Information
Confirmed Information
Columbia County Undersheriff Jacqueline Salvatore confirmed that the crash was fatal but declined to specify the exact number of casualties during a press briefing on Saturday afternoon. At least one person was confirmed dead in the incident.
Passenger Count Discrepancy
Initial reports from multiple sources, including the FAA, indicated that two people were aboard the aircraft. However, later updates from the FAA and other news outlets revised this number to six people on board. The FAA specifically corrected its earlier statement, changing the passenger count from two to six on Saturday night.
As of the latest reports, the identities of those on board have not been released to the public, with authorities citing pending family notifications.
Emergency Response Operations
First Responders at the Scene
Emergency response teams from the Columbia County Sheriff's Department, New York State Police, and local fire services arrived at the scene after a 911 call was received shortly after noon. The authorities immediately began working on accessing the crash site and assessing the situation.
Challenges in Rescue Efforts
First responders faced significant challenges accessing the crash site due to the difficult terrain conditions. Undersheriff Salvatore explained: "It's in the middle of a field and it's pretty muddy, so accessibility is difficult". The combination of mud, snow, and adverse weather conditions substantially hampered rescue operations and investigation efforts.
Investigation Status and Process
Lead Investigating Agencies
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has assumed the lead role in investigating the crash, with support from the FAA. The NTSB deployed an investigation team to the crash site, which was expected to arrive in New York on Saturday evening.
Next Steps in the Investigation
The NTSB announced plans to hold a press conference on Sunday, April 13, to provide updates on the investigation. Local law enforcement intended to conduct neighborhood interviews to gather additional information about the crash. As of the latest reports, no preliminary cause for the crash has been determined or released.
Recent Aviation Incidents in the Region
Hudson River Helicopter Crash
This plane crash occurred just days after another tragic aviation incident in the region. On Thursday, April 10, a Bell 206 helicopter operated by New York Helicopter Tours crashed into the Hudson River near Lower Manhattan, killing all six people on board. The victims included Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal, their three children, and the pilot.
The helicopter had taken off from a downtown heliport around 3:00 PM and was flying north over the Hudson River before turning south and crashing minutes later, landing upside down and sinking near Lower Manhattan at approximately 3:15 PM.
Historical Context of Aviation Incidents
The region has experienced previous aviation tragedies. In November 2024, a small plane carrying a pilot and four dogs crashed approximately 50 miles west of Copake in a remote area of the Catskill Mountains. Additionally, in June 2024, a family of five lost their lives when their small aircraft went down 40 miles northeast of Binghamton, New York, while traveling from Cooperstown to Georgia.
Meteorological Conditions
Weather conditions at the time of the crash were generally mild with overcast skies and wind gusts reaching up to 26 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service. However, the presence of snow and moisture on the ground complicated the emergency response efforts and may have been factors considered in the investigation.
Conclusion
The crash of the Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft in Copake, New York, represents a significant aviation incident that has resulted in at least one confirmed fatality. The discrepancy in reported passenger numbers—initially two, later revised to six—highlights the evolving nature of information in the immediate aftermath of such incidents. As the NTSB leads the investigation with support from the FAA, more details about the cause of the crash and the exact number of casualties are expected to emerge in the coming days.
This incident, occurring just days after the fatal helicopter crash in the Hudson River, has brought renewed attention to aviation safety in the region. The challenging terrain and weather conditions faced by first responders underscore the complexities involved in responding to and investigating aviation accidents in remote or difficult-to-access locations.
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