Members of gospel group The Nelons die in plane crash

Members of a Grammy-nominated gospel group die in plane crash

Updated: 12:47 PM CDT July 28, 2024

Three members of the Nelons, a Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame quartet, were among seven people killed in a plane crash in Wyoming, according to a group member who was not aboard the plane. Nelons co-founder Kelly Nelon Clark, her husband Jason Clark and their daughter Amber Nelon Kistler died in the crash Friday afternoon, according to a statement from her daughter Autumn Nelon Streetman. “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,” Nelon Streetman said. “We appreciate your continued prayers, love and support in the days to come.” Also killed in the crash were Nelon Kistler’s husband Nathan Kistler, family friend Melodi Hodges and Larry and Melissa Haynie, according to Nelon Streetman. There were no survivors. The group was on its way to participate in the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska, according to a statement from Gaither Music Group, the sponsor of the cruise, which features numerous gospel singers and groups. Gaither Music said Hodges was an assistant with the band. Larry Haynie was the plane’s pilot and Melissa Haynie was his wife. The plane was identified as a Pilatus PC-12/47E single-engine turboprop aircraft.The crash occurred around 1 p.m. in Campbell County, Wyoming, north of Gillette and about 250 miles (402 kilometers) north of Cheyenne, according to a statement from Campbell County spokeswoman Leslie Perkins.National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Keith Holloway said Saturday that an investigation team was expected at the crash site later Saturday.“The plane is in a remote location and once they have access they will begin documenting the accident scene and examining the plane,” Holloway said. “The aircraft will then be recovered and taken to a secure facility for further investigation.”A preliminary report on the crash is expected in about 30 days, while a final report with the probable cause of the crash could take up to two years, Holloway said.The Nelons were inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2016 and have won 10 GMA Dove Awards, including multiple awards for Song of the Year and Album of the Year.