A tragic plane crash took place on Sunday, June 30, 2024, which resulted in the unfortunate death of five family members from Alpharetta, Georgia. The group was returning home from a youth baseball tournament in Cooperstown in upstate New York.
The victims of the crash were identified by the New York State Police (NYSP) as Laura Van Epps, 42, Ryan Van Epps, 42, their sons, James R. Van Epps, 12, and Harrison Van Epps, 10, and Laura’s father, Roger Beggs, 76. The crash took place near Lake Cecil Road in Masonville, approximately 90 miles southeast of Syracuse, New York. The family was traveling in a Piper PA-46 Malibu Mirage, with Beggs piloting the plane.
The Van Epps family was returning from a trip to Cooperstown, where their 12-year-old son James’ baseball team was participating in a tournament. Cooperstown is also known as the home of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
The ill-fated flight began its journey from Alfred S. Nader Regional Airport in Oneonta, New York. The plane was scheduled for a refueling stop in West Virginia, before heading to its ultimate destination, Cobb County International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia.
According to NYSP, the crash site was located following a comprehensive search that involved drones, ATVs, and helicopters. The distress call about the potential crash came in around 2 p.m. that Sunday, leading to a concerted search effort among several agencies.
The cause of the crash is currently under investigation. The Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Collision Reconstruction Unit, and Forensic Identification Unit of the NYSP are working in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). An NTSB investigator arrived at the crash site on Monday for preliminary documentation and inspection of the wreckage, which will be transported to a secure facility for further examination. A preliminary report is expected to be released within a month, while a final report, including the probable cause, may take up to two years.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp expressed his condolences, stating that he and his family were keeping the victims’ families in their prayers. He extended “our heartfelt condolences to everyone who knew and loved them.”
On Facebook, Ansley Van Epps, a relative of the victims, expressed her grief, writing, “In light of this heartbreaking tragedy, we mourn the loss of our family. Yesterday, we got the devastating news that Ryan, Laura, James Ryan, Harrison Van Epps, and Laura’s father, Roger Beggs, were in a fatal plane crash, and our hearts are shattered.” She added, “As we deal with this unimaginable loss, let’s come together to remember and honor the beautiful lives they lived. Their kindness, laughter, and love will be forever etched in our hearts.”
Jim Van Epps, Ryan’s father, shared his sorrow with the Associated Press, describing the event as “a massive tragedy for our family and the end of five great lives, especially young lives.” He further highlighted that his grandsons were outstanding in school and sports, with 10-year-old Harrison showing promise as a lacrosse player.