Four Killed in Tennessee-Registered Plane Crash Near Steamboat Springs

This article summarizes reporting by WSMV 4 Nashville and Caleb Wethington.

Four Killed in Crash of Tennessee-Based Aircraft in Colorado

A single-engine turboprop Commercial-Aircraft registered to a Tennessee limited liability company crashed near Steamboat Springs, Colorado, early Friday, February 13, 2026, resulting in the deaths of all four individuals on board. While initial headlines described the location as “near Denver,” the incident occurred approximately 165 miles northwest of the capital, in the rugged terrain of the Rocky Mountains.

According to reporting by WSMV 4 Nashville, the flight originated in the Nashville area. Local authorities in Colorado have confirmed that the crash site is located on Emerald Mountain, a peak immediately west of downtown Steamboat Springs. The crash occurred shortly after midnight Mountain Standard Time as the aircraft was on approach to Bob Adams Field (KSBS).

The Routt County Coroner, Mitch Locke, indicated that officials are currently working to positively identify the victims. As of Friday afternoon, the names of the deceased have not been released pending notification of next of kin.

Flight Path and Aircraft Details

The aircraft involved has been identified as an Epic E1000, a high-performance, six-seat single-engine turboprop. Data indicates the plane departed from Nashville, Tennessee, and made a scheduled stop in Kansas City before proceeding toward the Colorado ski resort town.

Ownership and Registration

Public records link the aircraft to ALS Aviation LLC, an entity based in Brentwood, Tennessee, a suburb south of Nashville. WSMV reports that the plane is registered to this local company, suggesting a private flight rather than a commercial charter. The address listed for the LLC appears to be residential, consistent with private aircraft ownership structures.

Routt County Search and Rescue teams recovered four bodies from the wreckage on the south-facing side of Emerald Mountain. The recovery operation was conducted in challenging winter conditions, with temperatures hovering near freezing and cloud cover obscuring the terrain.

Investigation Underway

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have launched a formal investigation into the Accident. An NTSB investigator was scheduled to arrive at the scene on Friday afternoon to begin documenting the wreckage and gathering data.

Regarding the status of the victims, the local sheriff provided a brief update on the coroner’s progress:

“The sheriff said the coroner is working to identify the victim and notify their next of kin.”

, Reporting via WSMV

At this stage, the cause of the crash remains listed as “unknown circumstances.” Investigators will likely examine weather data, pilot communications, and engine performance logs. Automated weather reports from Steamboat Springs around the time of the crash indicated visibility between 5 and 10 miles with low cloud layers and potential patchy snow.

AirPro News Analysis: The Challenges of Mountain Approaches

While the specific cause of this tragedy has not yet been determined, the approach to Bob Adams Field (KSBS) in Steamboat Springs is known within the Airlines community as technically demanding. The Airports is surrounded by mountainous terrain, requiring precise navigation, particularly during night operations or instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).

The Epic E1000 is a capable, modern aircraft designed for speed and altitude, often compared to the TBM series or the Pilatus PC-12. However, single-pilot operations into high-altitude mountain airports at night present significant workload challenges. The crash site on Emerald Mountain lies roughly three nautical miles south of the destination airport, an area where aircraft would typically be maneuvering for final alignment with the runway.

We will continue to monitor updates from the NTSB and local authorities regarding the identification of the victims and the preliminary findings of the investigation.

Sources

Sources: WSMV 4 Nashville