A tragic plane crash on June 30, 2024 led to the loss of five members of a family from Alpharetta, Georgia. The family was returning from a youth baseball tournament in Cooperstown, upstate New York.
Per the New York State Police (NYSP), the deceased include Laura Van Epps, 42, Ryan Van Epps, 42; their sons, James R. Van Epps, 12, and Harrison Van Epps, 10; along with 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 Piper PA-46 Malibu Mirage they were traveling in was operated by Beggs.
The family was returning home after cheering for James’ baseball team at a tournament in Cooperstown, the home of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
The ill-fated plane had taken off from Alfred S. Nader Regional Airport in Oneonta, New York. It was scheduled to make a refueling stopover in West Virginia before heading to its final destination, Cobb County International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia.
The NYSP revealed that the crash site was located after an extensive search involving drones, ATVs, and helicopters. A distress call about a potential crash was received around 2 p.m. on Sunday, leading to a large-scale search operation.
Efforts to ascertain the cause of the crash are ongoing. The NYSP’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Collision Reconstruction Unit, and Forensic Identification Unit are working in conjunction with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). An NTSB investigator arrived at the crash site on Monday to document and inspect the wreckage, which will be relocated to a secure facility for further examination. A preliminary report is expected to be released within a month, while a final report could 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, and extended “our heartfelt condolences to everyone who knew and loved them.”
A relative of the victims, Ansley Van Epps, shared her grief on Facebook. She wrote, “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.”
The Associated Press received a statement from Ryan’s father, Jim Van Epps, who said, “It’s just a massive tragedy for our family and the end of five great lives, especially young lives.” He added that his grandsons were exceptional in school and sports, with 10-year-old Harrison becoming a promising lacrosse player.