Emerald Mountain Plane Crash Claims Four Lives: Murfreesboro-Connected CEO Among Victims

Authorities have identified the victims as Aaron Stokes, his son Jackson Stokes, their nephew Colin Stokes, and Austin Huskey, CEO of a Murfreesboro-based building supply company.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Four people were killed when a small plane crashed on Emerald Mountain near Steamboat Springs, Colorado on February 13, 2026. The victims were identified as 46-year-old Aaron Stokes, his 21-year-old son Jackson Stokes, their 21-year-old nephew Colin Stokes, and 37-year-old Austin Huskey, the CEO of a Murfreesboro-based building supply company.

Why it matters

The crash has left families in Tennessee and Colorado grieving an unimaginable loss. Aaron Stokes was a well-known figure in the automotive repair industry, while Austin Huskey led a family-owned business in Murfreesboro that recently underwent a major expansion.

The details

The aircraft involved was a six-seat Epic E1000 turboprop, a newer, high-performance single-engine model. Federal records show the plane was registered to a business that was administratively dissolved in 2025. The crash occurred while the plane was approaching Bob Adams Airport in Steamboat Springs, with weather conditions including broken and overcast cloud layers and sharply rising terrain around the airport. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined, and both the FAA and NTSB are investigating.

  • The crash occurred early Friday morning (February 13, 2026).
  • The aircraft was registered to a business that was administratively dissolved in August 2025.

The players

Aaron Stokes

A 46-year-old man who was well known in the automotive repair industry, where he built a reputation as a mentor and entrepreneur who poured his energy into helping independent shop owners succeed.

Jackson Stokes

Aaron Stokes' 21-year-old son, who was traveling with him on the plane.

Colin Stokes

Aaron Stokes' 21-year-old nephew, who was traveling with him on the plane.

Austin Huskey

A 37-year-old man who served as the CEO and third-generation owner of Huskey Truss & Building Supply, a family-owned Franklin headquartered company that was founded in 1945 and has a Murfreesboro facility.

Huskey Truss & Building Supply

A family-owned building supply company founded in 1945 that has a facility in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

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What’s next

Both the FAA and NTSB are now investigating the crash, a process that typically takes months.

The takeaway

This tragic plane crash has left families in Tennessee and Colorado grieving the loss of four lives, highlighting the impact that these men had on their communities and the industries they were involved in.