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The Nelons: Three members of the family gospel group die in plane crash

Image source, Getty Images

Image description, (By LR) Kelly Nelon Clark, Amber Nelon Kistler, Autumn Nelon Clark and Jason Nelon Clark performed as The Nelons

  • Author, Lucy Clarke-Billings
  • Role, BBC News

A married couple and their daughter, who performed together in the American gospel group The Nelons, died along with four other people in a plane crash.

Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark died along with Amber Nelon Kistler on Friday when their plane crashed over Wyoming en route to a performance.

Autumn Nelon Streetman – who also performs in the Grammy-nominated group but was not on board – confirmed the deaths of her parents and sister on Instagram.

She thanked her fans hours after the fatal accident for their “prayers, love and support.”

Amber’s husband Nathan Kistler, family assistant Melodi Hodges, and pilot Larry Haynie and his wife Melissa Haynie were also killed, according to group officials.

According to Gaither Management, the passengers were on their way to Seattle to board a cruise ship where the Nelons were scheduled to perform.

Officials in the area where the plane crashed said it happened around 1 p.m. local time, north of the city of Gillette. Local media reported it sparked a forest fire.

A spokesman for the National Transportation Safety Board said preliminary reports indicated the plane crashed due to an “autopilot problem.”

The band’s management said Autumn – the youngest member of the family band – was waiting in Seattle for her parents and sister to arrive when she was informed.

In a post on Instagram, Autumn said: “Thank you for the prayers that have already been sent out to me, my husband Jamie and our soon to be born little boy, and Jason’s parents Dan and Linda Clark.”

Rex Nelon, the father of Kelly Nelon Clark, founded the group in the 1970s.

They have been nominated for three Grammy Awards and were inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2016.

The group’s biggest hits include “I Shall Not Be Moved,” “Come Morning,” and “We Shall Wear a Robe and Crown.”

Kelly was also an actress and appeared in the ABC fantasy drama “Resurrection.”