Georgia family dies in plane crash returning from Cooperstown, NY

A family of five who were on their way home from a baseball tournament were killed in a small plane crash in New York state on Sunday.

The family was en route to Charleston, West Virginia, when the plane, a single-engine Piper Malibu Mirage, crashed in a wooded area in Masonville, N.Y., about 100 miles southwest of Albany, under “unknown circumstances,” the Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported.

The small plane was scheduled to make a brief pit stop in Charleston to refuel before landing in Atlanta, the group’s final destination. New York State Police discovered the “downed plane” amid debris just after 2 p.m. Sunday, but found no survivors, a news release said.

According to police, Roger Beggs, 76, Laura VanEpps, 43, Ryan VanEpps, 42, James R. VanEpps, 12, and Harrison VanEpps, 10, all traveled from Georgia to attend a baseball tournament in Cooperstown, NY.

Here’s what we know:

Georgia governor issues statement after crash

Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp expressed his condolences to those affected by the loss of X, writing on Monday: “As we learn of this tragic news, please join Marty, the girls and me in praying for the Beggs and VanEpps families. We extend our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved them.”

Nationwide investigations are ongoing, cause of accident currently unknown

An NTSB investigator was expected to arrive at the crash site Monday afternoon to begin documenting the accident scene and examining the wreckage, the Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin reported. Material from the plane’s wreckage will then be taken to a secure facility for further examination.

Investigators will focus on the pilot, the aircraft itself and the operating environment, including weather conditions, to determine the cause of the malfunction.

They will also examine rack data and aircraft maintenance records, conduct a 72-hour background check on the pilot to determine if there were any issues that may have affected his ability to safely operate the aircraft, and any available surveillance video, including from doorbell cameras, the Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin reported.

A preliminary report on the crash containing factual information will be available in approximately 30 days, and a final report containing information on the probable cause of death is expected in the next 12 to 24 months.

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