This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N98FK
- History of Flight:
On February 13, 2026, at about 0019 local time, an Epic E1000, N98FK, registered to ALS Aviation LLC out of Franklin, Tennessee, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
The FAA reported: "Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances," and reported 3 passenger fatalities and a single unknown ground injury, but did not mention anything related to the pilot(s) onboard.
It appears the aircraft flew into the Emerald Mountain while on approach to KSBS.
According to preliminary automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, at 2258 LT, the airplane departed the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport (MKC/KMKC), Kansas City, Missouri, and climbed to an altitude of 20,000 ft. At 2428 LT, the airplane entered a climb to 24,000 ft. At 2457 LT, the airplane started a descent from the current cruise altitude to Steamboat Springs. At 0016:15, the airplane was descending through 11,000 ft on approach to runway 34 at KSBS. At 0019:17, the airplane was last seen at 8000 ft, 145 knots groundspeed, and descending -900 feet per minute into the peak of the Emerald Mountain (8,251 feet) about 3.50 miles south of the airport.
The NTSB confirmed the accident at the time of this posting.
Figure 1: ADS-B exchange track ran through Flysto
Figure 2: Approach to KSBS
- Pilot Information:
Unknown.
- Aircraft Information:
The accident aircraft, serial number K058, was manufactured in 2024. It is a kit-built, 6-seat, low-wing, single-engine turboprop airplane. Its structure was carbon-composite material with retractable landing gear. It was equipped with a 1,200- horsepower Pratt & Whitney PT6-67A engine and a four-blade Hartzell propeller.
- Wreckage and Impact Information:
Unknown.
- Airport Information:
KSBS is an uncontrolled public airport located 3 miles northwest of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The airport field elevation is 6882.4 ft. The airport features a single asphalt/grooved runway 14/32 which is 4452 x 100 ft.
- Weather:
The reported weather at KSBS at 0015 (about 4 minutes before the accident) included: calm wind, 10 miles visibility, a scattered cloud layer at 500 ft AGL, a broken cloud layer at 1600 ft AGL, and an overcast ceiling at 2400 ft AGL. The altimeter setting was 30.16 inches of mercury.
(1) METARs
METAR KSBS 130655Z AUTO 08006KT 5SM SCT002 BKN024 OVC041 A3015 RMK AO1
METAR KSBS 130715Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM SCT005 BKN016 OVC024 A3016 RMK AO1
METAR KSBS 130735Z AUTO 16006KT 10SM SCT007 OVC014 A3015 RMK AO1
(2) Sun and Moon Data:
The sun’s position at the time of the accident was about -63° under the horizon on an azimuth of 359° N, and the the Moon was -48 degrees under the horizon on an azimuth of 89° E. The moonrise occurred at 0457 LT.
(3) Area Forecast Discussion:
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
1037 PM MST Thu Feb 12 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Isolated to scattered rain and snow showers with an isolated
thunderstorm or two will continue overnight with a couple
inches of snow possible at the higher elevations through
Friday morning.
- Another round of mountain snow and valley rain is expected
Friday afternoon and evening, favoring the central and
southern mountains with the best accumulations over the San
Juans in the realm of 2 to 6 inches with locally higher
amounts above timberline.
- A brief lull occurs over the weekend with dry and warm
conditions before the pattern shifts to a more cooler and
unsettled one with potential for more mountain snow Tuesday
onwards.
&&
.SHORT TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 1037 PM MST Thu Feb 12 2026
Isolated to scattered showers will continue through the evening
into the overnight with a few rumbles of thunder possible as the
atmosphere remains unstable enough with steep lapse rates and
enough CAPE to support isolated thunderstorm activity. Shower
activity will become more isolated by Friday morning as this
shortwave exits the region with about another inch or two of
snow in the mountains overnight. Another more robust shortwave
trough will move across the Four Corners region with the best
forcing south of the Four Corners late Friday morning through
the day on Friday. Lapse rates will steepen during the afternoon
with enough CAPE to support convective showers and a few
thunderstorms, mainly over the central and southern mountains.
Temperatures remain rather mild so snow levels will remain high
with the best snow accumulations above 10kft. Numbers came up a
bit from previous runs but still remain within that 2 to 6 inch
range on average with locally higher amounts above timberline on
the peaks. Probabilities of greater than 6 inches over the San
Juans is roughly 30 to 50 percent with higher probabilities
above timberline but this is pretty localized. Given the milder
temperatures and quick moving nature of this system, roads
likely to remain wet as showers will be convective and scattered
throughout this event. So, decided to hold off on issuing any
winter weather highlights with this Friday system. As this
system moves out Friday night, northerly flow behind it could
lead to some lingering snow on north-facing slopes.
Drier air will move in on Saturday with ridging building in from
the west, resulting in a rather quiet weekend. Temperatures will
be a bit cooler Friday across the central and southern areas
with increased clouds and showers with highs near to slightly
above normal. High temperatures are expected to increase this
weekend rising to 5 to 10 degrees above normal by Saturday.
&&
.LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Issued at 1037 PM MST Thu Feb 12 2026
After a quiet weekend, active weather returns to the forecast
next week with a deep trough setting up across the western
CONUS. There is good consensus between ensemble families that
moisture from an Atmospheric River moving inland in southern
California will arrive to the local area Monday afternoon.
Upslope flow and favorable jet dynamics look to peak on Tuesday
so at this time, Monday night through Tuesday night looks to be
the main timeframe for accumulating snowfall and winter driving
conditions in the mountains from this push of AR moisture.
Precipitation chances continue into the latter half of the week
with a persistent troughy pattern in place (finally!), but the
details become much more uncertain. There are major moisture
differences between and within ensemble families Tuesday night
onwards.
Unseasonably warm temperatures will continue to complicate
things, but generally speaking, snow levels will be lower next
week compared to what we saw the last couple of days. They will
also lower throughout the week as cool air works in from the
northwest, so light valley snow cannot be ruled out as the week
progresses.
&&
.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 1037 PM MST Thu Feb 12 2026
Scattered rain/snow showers and isolated thunderstorms will
become less numerous as the night progresses. The reprieve will
be short lived, with more showers moving in from the southwest
by daybreak Friday. These showers will spread northeast through
out the day leading to more unsettled weather and low vis/cig at
times. ILS breakpoints will continue to be met through the TAF
period at the mountain terminals.
- Additional Information:
No
