Preliminary information released on plane crash that killed 5 members of GA family – WSB-TV Channel 2

DELAWARE COUNTY, N.Y. — A preliminary crash report from the National Transportation Safety Board says weather may have been a factor in the plane crash that killed five members of a metro Atlanta family.

Laura, Ryan, James and Harrison Van Epps and Laura’s father, Roger Beggs, died in the crash Sunday as they were returning to Georgia from a baseball tournament in Cooperstown, New York.

Officials said News on channel 2 that the Piper plane was headed to Charleston, West Virginia, from Oneonta, New York, when it crashed under unknown circumstances.

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The plane was scheduled to land in West Virginia to refuel before completing its return flight to Cobb County International Airport. The crash itself happened around 1:40 p.m. Sunday, according to the NTSB.

According to an NTSB spokesperson, preliminary details of their investigation, which began July 1, indicated that weather data from June 30 showed thunderstorm activity along the flight’s path.

“The aircraft departed Oneonta at approximately 1:40 p.m. Flight tracking data was lost approximately 12 minutes after departure. The aircraft crashed near the Trout Creek area,” the NTSB said in a statement.

In total, debris from the crash covered about a mile (1.6 kilometers) in length, and authorities said all major parts of the plane were recovered except for the rudder. The NTSB is asking residents who may find debris that could be an aircraft to contact the agency by email.

The remainder of the aircraft was recovered and taken to an off-site facility for further evaluation as part of the investigation.

Regarding the investigative process, the NTSB says it typically focuses on three factors when investigating aircraft accidents: the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment.

The NTSB will release a more complete preliminary report within 30 days, but a final report on the cause of the crash will not be available for two years, officials said.

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Channel 2’s Audrey Washington was at Richmond Glen Circle on Monday, where she learned more about the family from their neighbors.

“It’s a whole family. I mean, it’s part of our neighborhood,” his neighbor Paul Cruz said, moved in Washington. “It’s not something you want to hear.”

A local baseball coach said News on channel 2 that James and Harrison were popular among their peers and that the baseball community shared their condolences privately.

A video shared with News on channel 2 On Tuesday, a report showed the moment 12-year-old James Van Epps hit a grand slam during the youth baseball tournament in Cooperstown, just days before the family’s tragic death.

A statement provided by Ansley Van Epps on behalf of the Van Epps family urged the community to come together to remember and celebrate the lives of the victims.

“Their kindness, laughter and love will forever be etched in our hearts. 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,” the statement read.

Separately, Gov. Brian Kemp also shared his condolences Monday, saying, “As we learn this tragic news, please join Marty, the girls, and me in praying for the loved ones of the Beggs and Van Epps families. We offer our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved them.”

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