MILTON, Ga. — A preliminary crash report revealed new information about a plane crash that left an entire Milton family dead in the New York mountains on Sunday.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released the report to 11Alive on Wednesday, which showed that flight tracking data revealed the single-engine Piper PA-46 aircraft was flying around "storm activity" along the flight path.
Flight tracking data also showed that the plane "was lost about 12 minutes after departure" and crashed in the area of Trout Creek in Masonville, New York, about 125 miles northwest of New York City. The plane had departed from Alfred S. Nader Regional Airport in Oneonta, New York, and was traveling to Charleston, West Virginia, to refuel before heading back to Georgia.
The family members who died were 76-year-old Roger Beggs, 43-year-old Laura Van Epps, 42-year-old Ryan Van Epps, 12-year-old James Ryan Van Epps and 10-year-old Harrison Van Epps.
The report also showed that the debris path was nearly a mile long and that all major portions of the plane, except the rudder, had been recovered.
The NTSB's further investigation will look into the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment to discover more details about how the plane went down. The probable cause for what caused the plane to crash will be released in the final report, which could take one to two years.
The family was returning home from a baseball tournament in Cooperstown, New York, one of the most prestigious youth baseball tournaments for 12-year-olds in the entire country. Cooperstown is home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Family member Ansley Van Epps told 11Alive they are still processing the tragedy but are thankful for the community support they have been receiving.
"We're still processing the tragic loss of our family as well as the Beggs, and we are all devastated, to say the least. We are heavily grieving and heartbroken," she said. "Just know that we are grateful for the outpouring of love that we have been surrounded with as we navigate this difficult time."
The family also said in a statement that as they grapple with the loss, they are coming together to celebrate the beautiful lives they lived.
"Their kindness, laughter and love will forever be etched in our hearts," the statement reads. "Please keep their loved ones and our family in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time. May we find strength and solace in the memories and the outpouring of love from all who knew them."
To read more about how the community is remembering the Van Epps family, click here.