A tragic aviation incident unfolded in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, claiming at least three lives when an Epic Aircraft E-1000 crashed near Emerald Mountain late Friday night. The Federal Aviation Administration’s initial reports confirmed the fatalities, prompting swift action from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which announced its investigation via social media.
The single-engine, six-seat turboprop aircraft, known for its lightweight design and versatility, went down around 12:20 a.m. local time. Details surrounding the crash remain unclear as investigators piece together the sequence of events. Routt County Sheriff Doug Sherar revealed that efforts to identify the victims and notify their families are underway, underscoring the human toll of this sudden disaster.
This incident marks yet another somber chapter in recent U.S. aviation mishaps. Just a day earlier, a catastrophic crash at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina resulted in seven deaths, including former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife, and two children. The Cessna C-550 jet burst into flames upon attempted landing Thursday morning around 10:20 a.m. Eastern Time, shortly after a brief takeoff and return.
Eyewitness videos captured the harrowing scene: rescuers racing toward the runway as wreckage engulfed in flames scattered across the tarmac. Airport manager John Ferguson confirmed the FAA has taken over the site, with operations suspended until debris clearance and safety assessments are complete. These back-to-back tragedies highlight ongoing concerns over small aircraft safety, fueling calls for enhanced regulatory scrutiny and technological upgrades in general aviation.