The three members of the Nelons died in a plane crash in Wyoming

ATLANTA – Three members of a popular Atlanta-based gospel family group were killed in a plane crash in Wyoming on Friday, according to a statement posted on Instagram by the fourth band member.

Autumn Nelon Streetman’s Instagram statement, attributed to Gaither Management Group, said her mother Kelly Nelon Clark, father Jason Clark and sister Amber Kistler – the other three members of the band The Nelons – died in the crash. Autumn and her husband Jamie Streetman were not on board the flight.

Four other people were also killed in the crash: Amber’s husband Nathan Kistler, the Kistlers’ assistant, Melodi Hodges, and the pilot and his wife, Larry and Melissa Haynie.

A separate statement on Autumn Nelon Streetman’s Instagram, attributed to her, reads:

As many of you have heard by now, my father and mother, Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, along with my sister Amber and brother-in-law Nathan, and our dear friends Melodi Hodges, Larry and Melissa Haynie, were involved in a tragic plane crash on Friday. Thank you for the prayers that have already been extended to me, my husband Jamie and our soon-to-be-born son, as well as Jason’s parents Dan and Linda Clark. We thank you for your continued prayers, love and support in the days ahead.

The Nelons have been active for decades and were originally founded by Rex Nelon, the father of Kelly Nelon Clark. The band was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2016 and was also once nominated for a Grammy for Best Southern Gospel Album. Let the redeemed say it in 1991.

The government of Campbell County, Wyoming, posted on its Facebook page that the private plane crash occurred north of the city of Gillette around 1 p.m. (Mountain Time) on Friday. The post said local sheriff’s deputies, firefighters and emergency responders were all called to the crash site. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident.

Gaither’s statement said the seven people on board the plane were on their way to take part in the Gaither Homecoming cruise to Alaska.

“Autumn, Jason and Kelly’s youngest daughter, and her husband Jamie Streetman were not on board the plane and arrived safely in Seattle, where they were informed of the accident,” the statement continued. “They were taken to the hotel where artists gathered with Bill and Gloria Gaither to pray, sing and embrace them in their grief. They promised to support them in any need.”

It continued: “Autumn and Jamie will return home to Kelly’s brother Todd Nelon and his wife Rhonda for now to begin the difficult tasks that lie ahead. Please pray for them, the Kistler family, the Haynie family and the family of Melodi Hodges.”