Plane crash kills metro Atlanta family | New details on crash

MILTON, Ga. — A preliminary accident report has revealed new information about a plane crash that left an entire Milton family dead in the New York mountains Sunday.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a report to 11Alive on Wednesday, which shows that flight tracking data revealed the single-engine Piper PA-46 plane was flying around “storm activity” along its flight path.

Flight tracking data also showed that the plane “was lost approximately 12 minutes after departure” and crashed in the Trout Creek area of ​​Masonville, New York, about 125 miles (200 kilometers) northwest of New York City. The plane had taken off from Alfred S. Nader Regional Airport in Oneonta, New York, and was headed to Charleston, West Virginia, to refuel before returning to Georgia.

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The deceased family members were Roger Beggs, 76, Laura Van Epps, 43, Ryan Van Epps, 42, James Ryan Van Epps, 12, and Harrison Van Epps, 10.

The report also showed that the debris path was nearly a mile long and that all major parts of the plane, except the rudder, had been recovered.

The NTSB’s investigation will focus on the pilot, the plane and the operating environment to uncover more details about how the plane crashed. The probable cause of the crash will be revealed in the final report, which could take one to two years.

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The family was returning from a baseball tournament in Cooperstown, New York, one of the most prestigious baseball tournaments for 12-year-olds in the country. Cooperstown is home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Family member Ansley Van Epps told 11Alive they are still coming to terms with the tragedy, but are grateful for the community support they are receiving.

“We are still coming to terms with the tragic loss of our family and the Beggs family, and we are all devastated, to say the least. We are deeply grieving and heartbroken,” she said. “Just know that we are grateful for the outpouring of love we have been surrounded by during this difficult time.”

The family also said in a statement that as they cope with this loss, they come together to celebrate the beautiful life she lived.

“Their kindness, laughter and love will forever be etched in our hearts,” the statement read. “Please keep them and our family in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time. May we find strength and comfort in the memories and outpouring of love from all who knew them.”

To learn more about how the community is commemorating the Van Epps family, click here.