The two victims of a plane crash near Broomfield on Saturday have been identified by the Boulder County Coroner’s Office.

Eugene Knutson, 80, of Boulder, and James Gelaude, 74, of Lakewood, were flying in a twin-engine aircraft on Saturday when it crashed near Brainard Drive and Midway Boulevard in unincorporated Boulder County shortly after 10 a.m., according to a Boulder County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Knutson, who went by “Jay,” was described by his daughter as a “cornerstone” of the family. He was a grandfather, father, brother and uncle.

“A man whose wisdom, humor, strength and fix-everything abilities improved the lives of everyone around him,” Knutson’s daughter Jennifer Knutson Frawley said. “He loves family, flying, and was a longtime supporter of CU and student athletes. His booming laugh, guidance and unwavering support will be profoundly missed by all who knew him.”

Knutson helped fly medical supplies to remote Colorado communities during the pandemic, according to Knutson Frawley.

Gelaude’s family declined to comment.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, Gelaude owned a Beech fixed-wing multi-engine aircraft, the same type of plane that the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport said crashed. The pilot had called an air traffic control tower reporting an issue with the plane’s door being open, according to a post by Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport on X.

Sara Farris, spokesperson for North Metro Fire, said the plane crashed in Boulder County open space. The open space land in that area includes the Carolyn Holmberg Preserve at Rock Creek Farm.

The plane took off from Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in the Broomfield area around 10 a.m., Farris said. Soon after takeoff, air traffic control was notified of an issue on board, she said. The plane was attempting to return to the airport when it crashed, according to Farris.

A roughly 100-square-foot grass fire was quickly extinguished by fire personnel on Saturday morning.

The NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration will be investigating the cause of the crash, the sheriff’s release said.