COPAKE, NY — April 12, 2025 — Authorities are investigating after a small plane carrying six people crashed into a muddy field near Copake, New York, early Saturday afternoon.
The twin-engine Mitsubishi MU-2B-40 was en route from Westchester County Airport to Columbia County Airport in Hudson, about 30 miles from the crash site. Around 12:15 p.m., the aircraft went down in a rural area, leaving a debris field scattered across wet, difficult-to-access terrain.
Columbia County Undersheriff Jacqueline Salvatore confirmed that at least one person died in the crash. The condition of the other five individuals on board has not yet been released. Emergency responders struggled to reach the site due to the muddy conditions and remote location.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are both investigating the incident. An NTSB team has been dispatched to examine the crash scene and determine the cause of the accident.
As of Saturday evening, authorities have not publicly identified any of the passengers or crew, pending notification of next of kin.
The Mitsubishi MU-2B-40 is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft commonly used for both corporate and private travel. Though fast and efficient, the plane has a complex flight profile and a history of accidents that have led to special training requirements for pilots.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available from investigators.
This is a developing story.