6 Shocking New York Aircraft Accidents And Incidents: NTSB's Latest Findings (2024-2025)

The state of New York, a major hub for both commercial and general aviation, has seen a disturbing number of significant aircraft accidents and incidents in the 2024–2025 period. These events, ranging from fatal private plane crashes in Upstate New York to high-profile ground collisions at major commercial airports, have prompted urgent investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The latest reports, some of which are preliminary NTSB findings released as recently as mid-2025, underscore the complex challenges of maintaining aviation safety across varied operational environments—from high-traffic Class B airspace to remote general aviation strips. This article details the six most recent and impactful New York aircraft events, focusing on the current investigative status and the critical safety lessons learned.

The Deadliest New York Crash: The Copake Tragedy (April 2025)

The most devastating recent event was the fatal crash of a private twin-engine aircraft in Copake, New York, which claimed six lives in April 2025. This accident in Columbia County drew national attention due to the high number of fatalities and the profile of one of the victims.

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Accident Profile and Victims

• Date: April 12, 2025
• Location: A muddy field in Copake, Columbia County, New York.
• Aircraft Type: Mitsubishi MU-2B-40 Solitaire, a high-performance turboprop.
• Fatalities: Six people, including a family of four and two others.
• Notable Victim: Karenna Groff, a former star soccer player for MIT and the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year.

The Mitsubishi MU-2B series of aircraft has a historically complex safety record, often requiring specialized training and adherence to strict operational protocols due to its unique flight characteristics. This history immediately placed the aircraft type under scrutiny in the investigation.

NTSB Preliminary Findings and Potential Causes

The NTSB, led by Member Todd Inman, launched a full investigation into the wreckage, which showed the virtual disintegration of the aircraft upon impact. The preliminary report, released in May 2025, pointed to adverse weather conditions as a potential factor.

Investigators noted that the aircraft encountered clouds and poor visibility shortly before the crash. The flight path and timeline detailed in the NTSB preliminary report suggest a challenging final phase of flight in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). The final report, which will determine the probable cause, is highly anticipated by the aviation community to address any potential issues with pilot decision-making, aircraft maintenance, or the inherent handling of the Mitsubishi MU-2B.

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Commercial Aviation Incidents at Major New York Airports (2025)

While the Copake crash was the most tragic, New York's major commercial airports also saw critical incidents that highlight the persistent risks of ground operations and air traffic management in congested airspace.

1. LaGuardia Airport (LGA) Ground Collision (October 2025)

On Halloween evening, October 31, 2025, a significant ground incident occurred at LaGuardia Airport in Queens, New York, involving two United Airlines aircraft.

• The Incident: United Airlines Flight 580 (arriving from Chicago O'Hare International Airport) was maneuvering toward its gate.
• The Collision: Flight 580 clipped the tail of a stationary United Airlines Flight 434.
• Impact: Both aircraft were damaged, but thankfully, there were no serious injuries among the 328 passengers and crew across both planes.
• Investigation Focus: The FAA and NTSB are investigating the taxiing procedures and ground control communications to prevent future ramp accidents and runway incursions.

This event, while non-fatal, serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of ground operations at high-density facilities like LaGuardia. It adds to the growing list of taxiway incidents that the FAA is attempting to mitigate through new technology and procedural changes.

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2. Delta Air Lines Incident (June 2025)

The FAA also confirmed an incident involving a Delta Air Lines flight in New York in June 2025. While specific details remain under investigation, the event was categorized under commercial aviation and is being reviewed by the NTSB. Such occurrences, even if minor, contribute to the overall data on aviation safety and procedural adherence in the New York Terminal Area.

General Aviation Accidents in Upstate New York (2024)

Beyond the major commercial hubs, general aviation (GA) flights in the less-congested regions of Upstate New York accounted for several fatal and serious accidents throughout 2024.

3. Westchester County Highway Crash (December 2024)

In December 2024, a small plane crashed onto a highway in Westchester County, New York. This tragic accident resulted in one fatality. Crashes involving small planes in residential or high-traffic areas often raise significant concerns about emergency landing procedures and engine reliability in general aviation aircraft.

4. Delaware County Crash Near Lake Cecil Road (June 2024)

New York State Police and the NTSB investigated a plane crash in Delaware County on June 30, 2024, in the area of Lake Cecil Road. While initial reports confirmed the crash, the investigation focused on determining the aircraft type, flight origin, and the specific circumstances leading to the impact.

5. New York Stewart International Airport (SWF) Incident (2024)

An incident involving a plane crash at New York Stewart International Airport (SWF) in the Hudson Valley led to the temporary closure of the popular airport. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, and while the event caused high drama and operational disruption, the quick response is credited with managing the situation effectively. These regional airport incidents are crucial for evaluating local emergency protocols.

The Future of New York Aviation Safety: Key Entities and Focus Areas

The recent cluster of accidents and serious incidents in 2024 and 2025 has put a spotlight on multiple areas of aviation safety, requiring deep collaboration between key entities.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) remains the primary agency leading the investigations, meticulously collecting data on everything from the flight path of the Mitsubishi MU-2B in Copake to the exact sequence of events at LaGuardia. Their final reports will be critical in issuing safety recommendations.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), responsible for air traffic control and regulatory oversight, is focusing heavily on improving ground safety at major hubs like John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), which all serve the New York metropolitan area. Efforts include implementing advanced surface movement guidance and control systems (A-SMGCS).

For general aviation, the focus is increasingly on the pilot certification and recurrent training standards, particularly for complex and high-performance aircraft like the MU-2B. The General Aviation Safety Assurance Program is continuously updated to address risks in non-commercial operations.

The takeaway from the 2024–2025 period is clear: while commercial air travel remains statistically one of the safest modes of transportation, the vigilance required to maintain this record is constant. The lessons from Copake, Queens, and Westchester County will directly inform the next generation of aviation safety rules and technologies.