A family of five from Georgia who was killed when a small plane crashed in upstate New York last weekend was flying through an area of ”active storms,” the National Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday.
In a statement, an NTSB spokesperson told Fox News Digital that flight tracking data for the single-engine Piper PA-46 aircraft was “lost approximately 12 minutes” after taking off from Alfred S. Nader Regional Airport in Oneonta on Sunday afternoon.
“Preliminary information indicates the plane crashed under unknown circumstances while en route from Oneonta, New York, to Charleston, West Virginia,” an NTSB spokesperson added. “Weather data indicates storms were developing along the flight path.”
New York State Police on Monday identified the five victims in the crash as Harrison VanEpps, 10, James VanEpps, 12, Ryan VanEpps, 42, Laura VanEpps, 43, and Roger Beggs, 76.
Family killed in New York plane crash after Cooperstown baseball tournament: police
Four people — James VanEpps, 12, Laura VanEpps, 43, Ryan VanEpps, 42, and Harrison VanEpps, 10 — were killed in a plane crash in New York on Sunday, authorities said. (courtesy)
“The passengers, all of whom were families from Georgia, had traveled to Cooperstown, New York, to attend a baseball tournament,” police said, noting the plane crashed in the town of Masonville.
The NTSB said Tuesday that the wreckage path was about a mile long and that “all major components of the airplane” had been found except for the rudder.
Any witnesses who spotted what appears to be plane wreckage are urged to contact investigators.
“The aircraft will be recovered today at an offsite facility for further evaluation,” the NTSB said, adding that its investigation will include a detailed examination of flight route data, aircraft maintenance records and air traffic control records.
Authorities say small plane carrying five people crashes in New York
A single-engine Piper PA-46 crashed Sunday afternoon near Sidney, New York. Authorities are seen responding to the scene of the crash. (Witches)
“The plane departed from Alfred S. Nader Regional Airport in Oneonta, New York, and was en route to West Virginia for refueling, with its final destination being Cobb County International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia,” New York State Police said in a statement Monday.
Cooperstown is home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp on Monday called the incident “tragic” and asked the public to join him and his family in “praying for the loved ones of the Beggs and Van Epps families,” WSB-TV reported.
A Piper PA-46-310P aircraft, the same type as the one that crashed in New York on Sunday, June 30th. (aviation-images.com/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
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“My deepest condolences go out to all who knew and loved them,” the governor reportedly added.
