A young pilot and flight instructor has been identified as the victim of a tragic plane crash in Colorado.

Niles Tilenius, 22, was one of two people on board the small plane as it crashed near the runway of Erie Municipal Airport about 3.30pm on Sunday, October 19.

Tilenius is the son of two highly successful CEOs from Hillsborough, California, Stephanie Schear Tilenius and Eric Tilenius.

The couple have paid tribute to him in a moving obituary highlighting his 'heart of gold' and describing him as a 'professional aviator, pilot and flight instructor... [who] saw (and brought out) the positive in everyone he encountered.'

In addition to his career as a pilot, Tilenius was an entertainer and musician, his family said. The family lived in a sprawling $7 million Hillsborough mansion.

At the time of the crash, Tilenius was piloting the plane along with a student, identified as 21-year-old William Johnston, who also died in the tragedy.

Tilenius' family said the crash likely occurred 'as a result of fierce, sudden, unexpected wind shear overwhelming their small plane close to the runway.'

'Niles had finally found his true calling, only to have it cruelly cut out from under him,' the obituary stated.

Niles Tilenius, 22, (pictured with his mom, Stephanie) was one of two people on board the small plane as it crashed near the runway of Erie Municipal Airport about 3.30pm on Sunday, October 19. His family said the crash likely occurred 'as a result of fierce, sudden, unexpected wind shear overwhelming their small plane close to the runway'

In addition to his career as a pilot, Niles was an entertainer and musician, his family said. The family lived in a sprawling $7million Hillsborough mansion

The 22-year-old (pictured with his dad) had recently been offered two jobs as a commercial aviation pilot and had accepted a role with GoJet Airlines

'Fellow pilots, students, and aviation industry figures hailed Niles as a very intelligent, careful, thorough, skilled, and detail-oriented pilot who brought an infectious love for aviation to all around him.'

He had served as a flight instructor in Livermore, California, before moving to Odyssey Pilot Hours in Erie, Colorado.

His family said he had been accepted into the United Airlines' Aviate program, which 'gives young aviators a fast-track to a first officer job at United.

'Niles also volunteered for charity flights with Angel Flight West. Niles always led with love and looked for ways to help others; his life was one filled with authenticity and empathy.'

The 22-year-old had recently been offered two jobs as a commercial aviation pilot and had accepted a role with GoJet Airlines.

'He was to start at GoJet on November 18, 2025, less than a month from the time of his death,' his family revealed, noting he was 'tremendously excited to be starting that new chapter in his aviation career.

'He was overjoyed and proud to have been able to follow his dreams in a tough hiring environment. He was truly doing what he loved.'

Outside of aviation, Tilenius had a passion for theatre and performance.

In addition to his love for aviation, his family said Niles was a performer and musician

At the time of the crash, Niles was piloting the plane along with a student, identified as 21-year-old William Johnston, who also died in the tragedy

His family said in his youth, 'Niles was involved in musical theater at Pied Piper Players, sang in the Ragazzi Boys' Chorus, and performed at piano recitals.

'Niles kept his love for music and entertaining going in recent years by working for Main Stage Productions of Palo Alto, CA as a Master of Ceremonies, bringing his exuberant energy and joy to bar and bat mitzvahs, weddings, and corporate events.'

He also 'served on the Board of the North Peninsula Jewish Teen Foundation, helping to raise and distribute charity funds to aid the community.'

The Erie Police Department confirmed that both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the fatal crash.

Both victims were the only two people on board.

Married CEOs lose pilot son, 22, in tragic plane crash