Niles Tilenius, a 22-year-old pilot and flight instructor, tragically died in a plane crash near Erie Municipal Airport in Colorado, along with his student, William Johnston. Tilenius, the son of two prominent business leaders from California, was remembered by his family as a talented aviator, entertainer, and musician who inspired those around him with his positivity and passion. The family believes the crash was caused by sudden, severe wind shear as the plane approached the runway. Tilenius had recently accepted a commercial pilot position and was set to begin a new chapter in his aviation career. Investigations into the crash are ongoing.