An Investigation into the Fatal Airplane Crash in Northern Colorado Mountains
An airplane tragically crashed in the northern Colorado mountains in February, claiming the lives of all four people on board. Federal officials have determined that the aircraft was approaching the Steamboat Springs Airport on a path not authorized for night use, while flying too low to clear the mountain peak.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Feb. 13 when an Epic E1000 airplane carrying Tennessee residents Aaron Stokes, Jakson Stokes, Colin Stokes, and Austin Huskey struck Emerald Mountain, located 3 miles south of the Steamboat Springs Airport.
The flight had departed from John C. Tune Airport in Nashville, Tennessee at 7:10 p.m. and made a stop for fuel at Kansas City Downtown Airport in Missouri at 11:03 p.m., as reported by the National Transportation Safety Board.
According to the investigation, air traffic controllers provided approach information to the pilot before changing to a different radio frequency. Despite mentioning an approach not authorized for night use, the pilot did not send any further messages. This prompted air traffic controllers to issue an alert notice.
Upon inspection, federal investigators discovered an 80-foot crash scar at 8,175 feet elevation, 75 feet below the peak of Emerald Mountain. Flight data indicated that the plane was operating normally and on autopilot at the time of the crash. However, the plane’s last recorded altitude was 8,221 feet, below the minimum descent altitude for the approach.
Following the crash, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a notice prohibiting pilots from using the “RNAV 32” approach into Steamboat Springs, which was used by the Epic E1000. This restriction will remain in effect until October.
The NTSB will release a final report on the crash, detailing the probable cause and contributing factors, within two years. For more Colorado news, sign up for the daily Your Morning Dozen email newsletter.
