A family of five from Georgia tragically perished in a plane crash in upstate New York over the weekend, with preliminary investigations revealing that their flight path was affected by storm activity.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has revealed that the family of five from Georgia who died in a small plane crash in upstate New York over the weekend was flying through an area of "storm activity" at the time of the accident.
An NTSB spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital that flight tracking data for the single-engine Piper PA-46 aircraft "was lost about 12 minutes after departure" from Alfred S. Nader Regional Airport in Oneonta on Sunday afternoon.
Five Family Members Killed in Plane Crash in Upstate New York Amidst Storm Activity
"Preliminary information indicates that the plane was flying from Oneonta, New York to Charleston, West Virginia when it crashed under unknown circumstances," the spokesperson added. "Meteorological data shows storm activity 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.
Five Family Members Killed in Plane Crash in Upstate New York Amidst Storm Activity
According to police, all of the passengers were family members from Georgia and had been in Cooperstown, New York for a baseball tournament. The plane went down in the town of Masonville.
The NTSB disclosed that the debris path from the wreckage spans approximately a mile and that "all major portions of the plane" have been recovered except for the rudder. Investigators are urging witnesses who spot any potential debris to reach out to authorities.
Five Family Members Killed in Plane Crash in Upstate New York Amidst Storm Activity
"Today, the plane will be recovered to an offsite facility for further evaluation," the NTSB noted, emphasizing that the investigation will thoroughly examine flight track data, aircraft maintenance records, and air traffic control recordings.
"The plane departed from Alfred S. Nader Regional Airport in Oneonta, NY and was traveling to West Virginia to refuel with its ultimate destination as Cobb County International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia," New York State Police previously reported.
Five Family Members Killed in Plane Crash in Upstate New York Amidst Storm Activity
Cooperstown is widely known as the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp expressed his condolences, referring to the incident as "tragic" and asking the public to join him and his family "in praying for the loved ones of the Beggs and VanEpps families," local television station WSB-TV reported.
"We offer our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved them," Governor Kemp said.
