Georgia family of five killed in small plane crash in upstate NY watched preteen son hit grand slam before tragedy

The family of five killed when their small plane crashed in upstate New York had flown nearly 1,000 miles to take one of their kids to a baseball tournament — where the preteen player fulfilled his dreams of hitting a grand slam just days before the tragedy.

Talented athlete James Van Epps, 12, accomplished the impressive feat last week after his pilot grandfather, Roger Beggs, 76, flew the family from Georgia to an annual national tournament at Cooperstown Dreams Park, according to th e Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

They had just taken off Sunday on their way home to the Atlanta suburb of Milton when their single-engine Piper PA-46 crashed upstate in Mansonville, also killing James’ brother Harrison, 10, and their parents Laura and Ryan Van Epps, both 42.

“It’s just a massive tragedy for our family and the end of five great lives, especially young lives,” said Ryan’s father Jim Van Epps of the loss of his son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren.

Both kids were gifted students and athletes — with Harrison an up-and-coming lacrosse player — who were encouraged by their parents to pursue their dreams, their grieving paternal grandfather said.

Family of 5 — including 2 kids ages 10 and 12 — confirmed dead in upstate NY plane crash

“Ryan and Laura supported their boys in whatever endeavor they wanted to do,” he said.

The Van Epps family confirmed in a Facebook post the “heartbreaking tragedy” that left their “hearts broken.”

“As we grapple with this unimaginable loss, let us come together to remember and celebrate the beautiful lives they lived. Their kindness, laughter, and love will forever be etched in our hearts,” they said.

“May we find strength and solace in the memories and the outpouring of love from all who knew them.”

Online records show that Beggs held a pilot’s license for 10 years. He’d volunteered to fly the family to upstate New York and stayed to watch his grandson’s tournament with them, according to the other grandfather.

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On Monday, the Oneonta Women’s Softball league paid tribute to James, also known as J.R., with an image of their gear laid out in his initials.

“For the love of the game,” they wrote of the preteen who had competed there. “Never forget to hold those you cherish close; they can be gone in an instant.”

“For the love of the game,” they added.

In a separate Facebook post the Van Epps family honored their loved ones, writing: “In the wake of a heartbreaking tragedy, we mourn the loss of our family. Yesterday, we received the devastating news that Ryan, Laura, James Ryan, Harrison Van Epps and Laura’s father Roger Beggs were involved in a fatal plane crash, and our hearts broken.”

“As we grapple with this unimaginable loss, let us come together to remember and celebrate the beautiful lives they lived. Their kindness, laughter, and love will forever be etched in our hearts,” the statement continued.”

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Officials have not shared what is thought to have caused the crash, which remains under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration  and National Transportation Safety Board.

The small plane was headed to Cobb County International Airport in Atlanta — with a planned fuel stop in West Virginia — when it crashed, police said. The wreckage was found after a large search with drones and choppers.

Neighbors remembered the family as being warm and “lovely.”

“We’re all just devastated. They were the kindest family and the sweetest people,” neighbor Caroline Slayton told Atlanta News First.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said on X that he and his family were praying for the victims’ families and offered “our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved them.”

With Post wires.

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