Tragedy in Upstate New York: One Killed in Small Plane Crash South of Albany, Federal Investigation Underway
A devastating small plane crash in a remote part of Columbia County has left one person dead and prompted a federal investigation, authorities confirmed late Saturday. The incident occurred around 12:15 p.m. on April 12, 2025, when a twin-engine Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft went down in a muddy field just outside Copake, a rural town located approximately 50 miles south of Albany, near the Massachusetts state line.
The aircraft, which had six people on board, was en route to Columbia County Airport in Hudson, New York. For reasons that remain under investigation, it lost altitude and crashed in challenging terrain, described by officials as soggy and snow-covered, complicating rescue efforts.
Emergency crews, including local fire departments, sheriff’s deputies, and paramedics, responded to the scene shortly after the crash. According to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, at least one fatality has been confirmed. The names of the victims have not yet been released pending notification of family.
“The site was difficult to access due to deep mud and melting snow, but our teams were able to secure the area and assist federal investigators,” said Columbia County Sheriff Donald Krapf.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have taken over the investigation and have dispatched a team of experts to the crash site. Their role will be to determine what caused the crash — whether mechanical failure, pilot error, weather conditions, or another factor played a role.
“We are coordinating with local authorities and will be examining flight data, air traffic control communications, and the condition of the aircraft at the time of the crash,” the NTSB said in a statement.
Residents in the area reported hearing a loud noise followed by smoke coming from the field. Several individuals rushed to help before first responders arrived, but the rough terrain made it difficult to reach the aircraft quickly.
The tragic event has shaken the quiet community of Copake, as well as surrounding towns. Columbia County Executive Matt Murell expressed condolences to the victims’ families, saying, “Our thoughts and prayers are with those impacted by this heartbreaking incident. We will continue to support first responders and investigators as they work to determine exactly what happened.”
The crash comes just days after another high-profile aviation accident involving a helicopter crash in the Hudson River, which claimed six lives, highlighting growing concerns about small aircraft safety in the region.
More information will be released by the FAA and NTSB as the investigation unfolds. Community members with information or footage of the plane prior to the crash are encouraged to contact the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.