Four Killed in Plane Crash Near Steamboat Springs

Small plane crashes into remote mountain terrain, killing all aboard

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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A small plane crashed early on Friday into remote mountain terrain near the popular ski resort of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, killing all four people aboard. The plane, an Epic E1000 turboprop, crashed around 12:20 a.m. under unknown circumstances, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. Search and rescue teams were dispatched to the remote crash site, where they recovered the bodies of the victims, believed to be members of the same family.

Why it matters

Plane crashes in remote areas can be challenging for search and rescue teams to access, and often raise questions about the cause and circumstances surrounding the incident. This crash near the popular Steamboat Springs ski resort also has the potential to impact tourism and travel in the region.

The details

The plane was registered to ALS Aviation, a now-dissolved limited liability company in Franklin, Tennessee. Data indicates the plane took off from Nashville, stopped in Kansas City, and crashed several miles from Steamboat Springs Airport. The NTSB investigation will focus on the pilot, the aircraft, and the operating environment.

  • The plane crashed around 12:20 a.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026.
  • Search and rescue teams were called at 12:40 a.m. and reached the crash site by 1 a.m.

The players

Routt County Sheriff Doug Scherar

The Routt County sheriff who oversaw the search and rescue operation at the crash site.

Mitch Locke

The Routt County coroner who is working to identify the victims of the plane crash.

ALS Aviation

The now-dissolved limited liability company in Tennessee that was the registered owner of the crashed plane.

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What they’re saying

“The search-and-rescue team helped bring Routt County sheriff's officers, Steamboat Springs police officers and the Routt County coroner to the crash site, where they recovered all four bodies.”

— Sheriff Doug Scherar, Routt County Sheriff (dnyuz.com)

What’s next

The NTSB investigator will begin documenting the scene and examining the plane before it is moved to another location for further evaluation.

The takeaway

This tragic plane crash in a remote area near the popular Steamboat Springs ski resort highlights the challenges faced by search and rescue teams when responding to aviation incidents in difficult terrain. The investigation will aim to determine the cause of the crash and any potential safety issues that may have contributed to the incident.