Woman who died in Arvada plane crash is remembered as ‘brave, courageous, loving’

One person suffered injuries, along with three others, when a small plane crashed in a residential area in Arvada last week. The Jefferson County coroner’s office confirmed the death Monday morning.

The victim, identified by her family as Melissa Brinkmann, was a mother, daughter and sister who loved her friends and family deeply.

“We have said goodbye to our beloved Melissa, our daughter, our big sister, our mother, our best friend, our partner, our hero,” her family said in a statement.

“Melissa was brave, courageous, loving and a fierce advocate for those she loved – and she loved silently,” her statement continued. “Knowing Melissa was an inspiration. She uplifted others and made this world a better place. We have been humbled and comforted by the countless messages, memories and stories shared with us by the countless people Melissa impacted. We will be forever grateful to the first responders, bystanders and medical personnel who came to her aid, fought for her and made it easier for her to leave this life.”

The plane crashed on Friday in the northwestern part of the Denver metropolitan area, not far from Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, where it was trying to land. Crash landing in front of a housethe plane caught fire. All four injured people were on board.

Officials with the National Transportation Safety Board are still investigating the cause of the accident. Neighbors who witnessed the accident near the intersection of Oberon Road and Carr Street said it looked like the plane had problems shortly before in the air.

“When I saw it, I noticed the plane was flying too low, the wings were flapping and there were exhaust fumes coming out the back. It just looked wrong,” said one witness. “I wondered what on earth was going to happen to that plane.”

Neighbors ran to the yard where the plane had landed to help after it crashed. The four people who were on the plane were taken to the hospital shortly afterward.

Parts of the plane that fell off after impact with the ground were taken to an NTSB laboratory in northern Colorado.

Brinkmann served as a Managing Director and Account Executive at Accenture and will be remembered as an active member of her community, serving on the boards of Junior Achievement and the American Heart Association.

“Melissa was an incredible leader at Accenture. She loved her family deeply and was a valued friend to many,” the company said in a statement. “Those of us who had the privilege of knowing and working with Melissa will remember a kind soul and dedicated leader who was always willing to go the extra mile for everyone.”