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Three members of gospel group The Nelons killed in plane crash

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Three members of Longtime gospel group The Nelons were among the seven people killed in a plane crash near Gillette, Wyoming on Friday.

Kelly Nelon Clark — who had been a member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame-inducted singing group since 1977, when her father, Rex Nelon, founded the group — as well as her husband and Nelons lead singer Jason Clark and daughter Amber Nelon Kistler, died in the crash, which occurred as the Nelons were en route to the Gaither Homecoming Cruise in Alaska. USA today reports.

The Gaither Management Group, which represented the Nelons, said in a statement Friday: “The Nelons, one of America’s most beloved gospel music families, were involved in a tragic, fatal plane crash Friday afternoon en route to Alaska for the Gaither Homecoming Cruise. The crash claimed the lives of Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, Amber and Nathan Kistler and their assistant Melodi Hodges, and pilot Larry Haynie and his wife Melissa.”

Autumn Nelon Streetman, Jason and Kelly’s other daughter and sister of Amber – also a member of the Nelons but who instead took a different flight with a stopover in Seattle on Friday along with other members of the Nelon family – added in a statement: “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, and Jason’s parents Dan and Linda Clark. We appreciate your continued prayers, love and support in the days ahead.”

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The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash, Gaither Management Group added. An NTSB spokesman said preliminary information indicated the plane had an “autopilot issue” during flight. the guard reports.

“The aircraft is in a remote location. Once they have access, they will begin documenting the scene and examining the aircraft,” the spokesperson added. “The aircraft will then be recovered and taken to a secure facility for further investigation.”

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