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

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

“Melissa was bold, brave, loving, and a fierce champion of those she loved – and she loved boundlessly,” the family added. “To know Melissa was to be inspired by her. She elevated others and made this world a better place.”

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

Brinkmann and three others departed Centennial Airport at approximately 9:16 a.m. on June 7 aboard a 1969 Beechcraft V35A Bonanza and were “presumably en route to the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (BJC) for unknown reasons,” National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Alex Lemishko said.

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

The plane ended up landing on a street in Arvada and bursting into flames. Four people were taken to the hospital. The conditions of the other three are unknown.

Audio from that call to the tower identified the the small aircraft’s tail number as N150WR.

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

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

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

The crash is under investigation by the NTSB.

“We have been awe-struck and comforted by the countless messages, memories, and stories shared by the legions of people Melissa has impacted,” the family said. “We will be forever grateful to the first responders, bystanders, and medical staff who came to her aid, fought for her, and eased her passage from this life.”