The crash resulted in the tragic deaths of a family of five from Georgia who were returning home from a baseball tournament in Cooperstown, the location of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.
On Monday, the New York State Police announced that a single-engine Piper Malibu Mirage departed from Oneonta Municipal Airport in central New York on Sunday before crashing in Masonville, located roughly 90 miles southeast of Syracuse.
The deceased individuals were named as Roger Beggs, aged 76, who was reportedly the pilot of the aircraft; Laura VanEpps, aged 43; Ryan VanEpps, aged 42; James R. VanEpps, aged 12; and Harrison VanEpps, aged 10.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp shared his sympathies on X, saying, “Upon hearing this tragic news, I urge you to stand with Marty, the girls, and myself in offering prayers for the loved ones of the Beggs and VanEpps families. We extend our deepest condolences to everyone who had the privilege of knowing and loving them.”
The authorities were notified of a potential crash at approximately 2 p.m. on Sunday. A search operation was initiated in the vicinity of Lake Cecil Road, employing helicopters, drones, and ATVs. Following thorough search endeavors, the crash site and the damaged aircraft were successfully identified.
As reported by People, the flight plan included a scheduled refueling stop in West Virginia before continuing on to Atlanta.
Ansley, the sister of Ryan VanEpps, expressed her sadness and mourning for the passing of her family members.
The investigation into the cause of the crash is being conducted collaboratively by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and state law enforcement agencies.
The National Transportation Safety Board reported that the family was flying through a region experiencing “storm activity.”
Our condolences and prayers are with the families of the victims. May they find peace.
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