High-Risk Procedure Grounded After Fatal Epic E1000 Crash

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has suspended the RNAV (GPS) Z approach to Runway 32 at Steamboat Springs Airport in Colorado after a fatal crash of an Epic E1000 during an overnight arrival. The agency issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) declaring the procedure ’not available’ until at least October 1, 2026. The move comes as pilots and analysts have raised concerns about the approach, which has been called ’the most dangerous in America.’ The FAA’s decision may be seen as a response to growing safety concerns, and the incident is under investigation by the NTSB. This development was first reported by AeroTime.