Aaron Stokes, Jackson Stokes, Colin Stokes and Austin Huskey Among Four Killed in Steamboat Springs Plane Crash as Investigators Examine Terrain, Pilot Judgment, and Flight Conditions

Four men from Middle Tennessee were killed when a small turboprop aircraft crashed near Steamboat Springs, authorities confirmed, as federal investigators work to determine what caused the deadly incident.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, an Epic E1000 aircraft carrying four people went down around 12:20 a.m. on Feb. 13 in a remote mountainous area of Emerald Mountain, across the Yampa River from the resort community. The rugged terrain made access difficult for first responders.

The Routt County Coroner identified the victims as 47-year-old Aaron Stokes; his 21-year-old son, Jackson Stokes; his nephew, 21-year-old Colin Stokes; and 37-year-old Austin Huskey. All four were pronounced dead after search crews reached the wreckage later that morning.

Officials said the single-engine plane had departed from Nashville with a stop in Kansas City and was approaching the local airport when it crashed along the southern slope of the mountain. The aircraft was registered to ALC Aviation LLC.

Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board have launched a full inquiry and will review pilot history, maintenance logs, weather conditions, communications, and flight data. Authorities have not yet determined a cause but noted that mountainous terrain can create especially challenging flight conditions.

Aaron Stokes was widely known in the automotive industry as the founder of EuroFix, a European auto-repair company that grew from a one-car garage into multiple locations, and Shop Fix Academy, a national training organization for repair-shop owners. He also hosted a radio show focused on automotive topics. Colleagues described him as a driven entrepreneur who built businesses centered on helping others succeed.

Austin Huskey served as CEO of a long-running family building-supply company and was remembered by colleagues as a generous leader devoted to his family, faith, and community. Tributes from organizations he supported described him as someone who uplifted others and led by example.

Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing, and additional details about the crash will be released once findings become available.