Copake: Just days after a tragic helicopter accident claimed six lives in New York City, another fatal aviation incident has struck the state — this time in a muddy field in upstate New York. A twin-engine aircraft carrying six people crashed near Copake on Saturday, leaving at least one person confirmed dead, according to The Mirror.

The plane, a Mitsubishi MU-2B, had departed from Westchester County Airport in White Plains shortly after 11.30am local time, en route to Columbia County Airport near Hudson. It vanished from tracking radar within minutes, according to flight data from Flightradar24.

Authorities said the crash occurred roughly 30 miles (48 kilometres) from the intended destination, in a difficult-to-access muddy field about 50 miles (80 kilometres) south of Albany. Emergency services rushed to the scene following a 911 call around noon, said Columbia County Undersheriff Jacqueline Salvatore.

“It’s in the middle of a field and it’s pretty muddy, so accessibility is difficult,” Salvatore told reporters during a press briefing near the crash site. She added that the snow-covered, wet terrain has severely hampered rescue and recovery efforts. New York State Police and a local fire department were also dispatched to the scene.

Meanwhile, while the crash has been confirmed as fatal, Salvatore declined to specify how many victims there were, stating only that the wreckage remained challenging to reach. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said six individuals were aboard the flight.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced that an investigation team had been deployed and was expected to arrive at the scene Saturday night. Investigators are yet to determine the cause of the crash.

FAA records reviewed by The New York Times indicate the aircraft was registered to a company located outside Boston.

The crash marks the latest in a string of aviation tragedies to hit the United States in 2025. Just a day earlier, three people died when a small plane went down in Boca Raton, Florida. Saturday’s crash is also the second aviation-related fatality in New York in less than a week.

On April 10, a sightseeing helicopter carrying a Spanish tourist group plunged into the Hudson River in New York City, killing five family members and their pilot. The group had embarked on a scenic tour of the city’s iconic waterway when the aircraft suddenly broke apart mid-air and crashed into the river.

Officials said further details regarding Saturday’s crash will be shared once the NTSB concludes its preliminary assessment.

(With inputs from AP)