Arvada plane crash victim identified as Parker woman | Denver Metro News

A woman who died in a plane crash in Arvada has been identified as Melissa Brinkmann, according to a statement released by her family through the Arvada Police Department.

“On Saturday June 8, we said goodbye to our beloved Melissa, our daughter, our big sister, our mom, our best friend, our partner, our heroine. We ask for space and privacy to grieve this enormous loss on our own terms,” the family said.

“Melissa was bold, courageous, loving and a fierce advocate for those she loved – and she loved without limit,” the family added. “To know Melissa was to be inspired by her. She lifted others up and made this world a better place.”

Brinkmann's LinkedIn profile listed her as a managing director and account manager for global company Accenture. She was a former captain in the United States Air Force.

Brinkmann and three others left Centennial Airport around 9:16 a.m. June 7 aboard a 1969 Beechcraft V35A Bonanza and were “probably en route to Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (BJC) for unknown reasons.” , said National Transportation Safety Board spokesperson Alex Lemishko. .

Shortly after takeoff, the pilot contacted the Rocky Mountain Metro tower, reported that an oil light was on, and requested assistance.

The plane eventually landed on a street in Arvada and caught fire. Four people were taken to hospital. The conditions of the other three are unknown.

Audio from that call to the tower identified the tail number of the small plane as N150WR.

The FAA and other flight databases show the plane registered to Whiskey Romeo LLC and Tom Searles Sawyer of Timnath, Colorado.

The FAA Airman Certification database shows Sawyer holds a current private pilot license with authorization for single-engine aircraft.

An April 2022 post on Brinkmann's Facebook page indicated that she was “in a relationship with Tom Sawyer.”

The accident remains under investigation by the NTSB.

“We have been impressed and comforted by the countless messages, memories and stories shared by the legions of people Melissa touched,” the family said. “We will be forever grateful to the first responders, bystanders and medical personnel who came to her aid, fought for her and facilitated her exit from this life.”