Aaron Stokes, a beloved resident of Franklin, Tennessee, was among four people tragically killed in a plane crash near Steamboat Springs, Colorado, in the early hours of Friday, February 13, 2026.
The crash occurred around 12:20 a.m. on Emerald Mountain, a rugged area located across the Yampa River from the resort town of Steamboat Springs. The aircraft, an Epic E1000 single-engine turboprop, was on approach to Bob Adams Field when it went down under still-unknown circumstances.
The plane had departed from Kansas City Downtown Airport and was nearing its destination when it crashed into the mountainous terrain southeast of the airport. The aircraft was registered to ALS Aviation LLC, a company based in Franklin, Tennessee. According to the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board, the cause of the crash remains under investigation, with no immediate indication of mechanical failure or weather-related issues.
Routt County Coroner Mitch Locke identified the victims as 47-year-old Aaron Stokes, his 21-year-old son Jackson Stokes, 21-year-old nephew Colin Stokes, and 37-year-old Austin Huskey. All four were pronounced dead at the scene. The crash site, located in a remote and forested area of Emerald Mountain, posed challenges for recovery crews, who worked through the night to access the wreckage and recover the victims.
Aaron Stokes was a well-known figure in the automotive industry. He was the founder of Shop Fix Academy, a business coaching organization that supported independent auto repair shop owners across the country. In addition to running five auto repair shops, he hosted the popular radio show “Fixin’ Cars with Aaron Stokes” on 99.7 WTN. His entrepreneurial spirit, mentorship, and dedication to empowering others earned him widespread respect and admiration within the industry and beyond.
Friends, colleagues, and community members in Franklin and across the nation have expressed deep sorrow over the loss. Tributes have poured in, remembering Aaron as a visionary leader, a devoted father, and a generous friend. His son Jackson and nephew Colin were both described as bright young men with promising futures, and their deaths have left an indelible mark on those who knew them. The loss of three members of the same family, along with a close friend, has devastated their loved ones and the broader community.
As federal investigators continue to examine the crash, the focus remains on understanding what led to the fatal descent. The aviation community, along with the residents of Franklin and Steamboat Springs, await answers while honoring the lives of those lost. The legacy of Aaron Stokes, both as a business leader and a family man, will be remembered for years to come.
