Four people, including two prominent Tennessee business executives, died when a single-engine turboprop aircraft crashed into a mountain near Steamboat Springs, Colorado, in the early hours of Friday, February 13, authorities have confirmed.
The Routt County Coroner’s Office identified the victims as Aaron Stokes, 47, his son Jakson Stokes, 21, his nephew Colin Stokes, 21, and Austin Huskey, 37. All four were from Franklin, Tennessee.
The Epic Aircraft E1000, a six-seat turboprop registered to ALS Aviation in Tennessee, crashed into Emerald Mountain at an elevation of 8,000 feet at approximately 12:20 a.m. local time while on final approach to Bob Adams Airport in Steamboat Springs. There were no survivors.
Flight tracking data showed the aircraft had departed Kansas City Downtown Airport around 10:00 p.m. on Thursday evening after an earlier leg from Nashville. The plane was approaching Steamboat Springs when it struck the mountainside southeast of the airport under what the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) described as “unknown circumstances.”
Members of the Routt County Search and Rescue team and sheriff’s deputies recovered the bodies of the deceased on Friday morning. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and NTSB are investigating the crash.
Aaron Stokes was a self-made millionaire and founder of Shop Fix Academy, a coaching and leadership development organisation that serves more than 1,500 independent auto repair shop owners across North America. He also founded EuroFix and Amerifix, car repair businesses based in Franklin, and hosted the radio show “Fixin’ Cars with Aaron Stokes.”
“The loss has deeply impacted his family, the Shop Fix Academy team, and the broader automotive community,” the company said in a statement. “Stokes helped thousands of auto repair shop owners, and countless other business leaders, achieve meaningful growth in their businesses and leadership. His legacy extends far beyond financial performance.”
His son Jakson was a student at Franklin Christian Academy. Kalia Velez, Jakson’s girlfriend, wrote on Instagram: “I don’t even have the words to truly express how much my heart hurts. It feels so unreal, truly my worst nightmare. Jakson, you are my best friend and the love of my life. This is going to be so difficult, and I don’t want to live life without you.”
Austin Huskey was the third-generation Chief Executive Officer of Huskey Building Supply, a family-owned company serving the greater Nashville area. In 2025, he was recognised on LBM Journal’s 40 Under 40 list, highlighting his contributions to the building supply industry.
“With heavy hearts, we grieve the unexpected passing of our Chief Executive Officer, Austin Huskey,” the company said in a statement. “Austin was a fearless leader, a gracious man, a devoted father and husband, and a faithful follower of Christ. As part of the third-generation ownership of Huskey Building Supply, Austin Huskey continued his family’s legacy through generosity and ingenuity.”
Huskey is survived by his wife, Kat Huskey, and their two children.
ALS Aviation, the company to which the aircraft was registered, was administratively dissolved in August 2024, though its aircraft registration certificate remains valid through 2031. It is unclear who was piloting the aircraft at the time of the crash.
Shop Fix Academy confirmed it will continue operations without interruption under a continuity plan Stokes had established. Michael Rosenberger, Chief Executive Officer of Shop Fix Academy, said: “Aaron built this company to outlast him. He had a comprehensive continuity plan in place, which allows our team to remain fully operational.”
The families of the deceased have requested privacy during this difficult time.
