Broomfield, CO — A routine flight turned tragic last Saturday when a small aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, claiming the lives of both men on board.
Authorities have identified the victims as 80-year-old Eugene Knutson and 74-year-old James Gelaude. The two were aboard a Beechcraft 95 when it went down just minutes after departing from the suburban Denver airport.
According to air traffic control recordings, the pilot contacted the control tower shortly after takeoff, reporting an emergency. He stated that the aircraft’s door was open and that they would need to return to the airport for an immediate landing. The tower cleared the plane to land, but tragically, no further communication was received from the pilot.
Moments later, the plane crashed and erupted in flames. First responders from North Metro Fire Rescue arrived swiftly at the scene, but the wreckage was fully engulfed. There were no survivors.
The Boulder County Coroner’s Office confirmed the identities of the victims on Monday and said investigations are ongoing.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are jointly investigating the incident. While mechanical failure or pilot error has not been officially ruled out, the open aircraft door and sudden loss of communication will be key elements in the investigation.
Saturday’s crash is a somber reminder of the risks involved in general aviation, particularly as small aircraft incidents continue to draw scrutiny nationwide. For now, the local community mourns the loss of two lives and awaits answers.
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