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An Epic E1000 aircraft carrying four people went down in remote mountainous terrain near the city of Steamboat Springs at about 12:20 a.m. local time on Friday, Feb. 13. The victims were identified as millionaire CEO Aaron Stokes, 47; his son, Jakson Stokes, 21; his nephew, Colin Stokes, 21; and 37-year-old executive Austin Huskey, Fox 17 News reported, citing the Routt County Coroner.
Aaron was the founder of the car-repair businesses EuroFix, AmeriFix and Shop Fix Academy, based in Franklin, Tennessee, according to his LinkedIn page.
“The loss has deeply impacted his family, the Shop Fix Academy team and the broader automotive community,” the company said in a Facebook 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.”
Aaron’s son Jakson was a student at Franklin Christian Academy in Franklin, according to his Facebook page.
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.”
Huskey was the third-generation CEO of Huskey Building Supply, also based in Franklin. In 2025, he was named to LBM Journal’s 40 Under 40 list.
“With heavy hearts, we grieve the unexpected passing of our CEO, Austin Huskey,” the company said in an Instagram statement. “Austin was a fearless leader, a gracious man, a devoted father and husband, and a faithful follower of Christ… He led by example through his actions and words.”
Huskey is survived by his wife, Kat Huskey, and their two children.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) told PEOPLE that preliminary information indicates the cause of the crash is unknown. Citing Tennessee business records, The New York Times reported that the aircraft was registered to ALS Aviation, a limited liability company in Franklin.
According to flight data, the plane departed Kansas City Downtown Airport shortly after 10 p.m. en route to Bob Adams Airport in Steamboat Springs before crashing southeast of the airport. The aircraft had flown from Nashville to Kansas City earlier that evening.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the NTSB are investigating the incident
