Pilatus PC-12/45, N185PB, incident occurred on August 12, 2026, near Avalo, Colorado

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this writing will be corrected when/if the NTSB preliminary report is released.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N185PB

- History of Flight:
On August 12, 2026, at about 1730 local time, a Pilatus PC-12/45, N185PB, registered to Stellar Envoy LLC, sustained unknown damage following a weather encounter near Avalo, Colorado. There were no injuries. The flight originated from Grant Municipal Airport (KGGF), Grant, Nebraska, at 1707, and was destined to Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (BJC/KBJC), Broomfield, Colorado.

Preliminary ADS-B data shows that the airplane was cruising at 20,000 ft about 30 minutes into the flight when it encountered weather activity. The airplane initiated a rapid descent from cruise altitude, and at one point was descending at a rate of 10,000 feet per minute (fpm). The airplane appeared to be stable again after reaching ~15,000 ft. The airplane then began a westerly descent towards BJC. The airplane landed at 1807.

The FAA reported that the airplane encountered hail during flight, causing damage.

Figure 1: Flightaware track

Figure 2: ADS-B data exchange at time of encounter

At the time of the event, a Convective SIGMET was active for the area for thunderstorms moving from 220° at 15 knots and tops at FL450.

The local Area Forecast Discussion reported the following:

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
551 PM MDT Wed Aug 12 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- One last day of warm temperatures today. Cooler temperatures
  arrive by Thursday and Friday, with a slow warming trend by next
  week.

- A few strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible over the
  northeast CO plains this afternoon, with damaging winds and
  large hail as the primary hazards.

- Monsoon moisture arrives and lasts through the weekend, bringing
  scattered showers and thunderstorms most days. Locally heavy
  rainfall possible. The best chance of rain across the I-25
  corridor is still Thursday/Friday.

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS through 00Z Friday/...
Issued at 538 PM MDT Wed Aug 12 2026

With an outflow boundary moving through, winds are currently
gusty up to 20 kts from the north at DEN and BJC. At APA, winds
have been more southeast due to a different outflow boundary.
There is some uncertainty with how winds will evolve at APA with
the two boundaries. For now, have kept winds to the southeast, but
there is a chance that the northerly boundary could overtake it
and have northerly winds instead.

There is a pause in convective activity this evening due to drier
air filtering in. However, as winds turn more northeast later this
evening, another round of showers and thunderstorms is possible.
For this reason, have introduced a new PROB30 to the TAF from
03Z-07Z. Overall light and variable winds expected overnight. Guidance
does hint at low stratus coming into Colorado by tomorrow
morning, however it should stay east of all terminals.

For tomorrow, winds should generally transition to an
easterly/northeasterly component, with upslope allowing another
round of convection in the afternoon. Due to better moisture
availability, visibilities will likely drop with the heavier
rainfall. Outflow winds will be a concern, with gusts up to 30-35
kts.