Three members of the popular gospel band The Nelons were among seven people killed in a horrific plane crash in Wyoming on Friday. According to their management.
Kelly Nealon Clark, her husband Jason Clark and their daughter Amber Nealon Kistler were traveling to Seattle to perform on a cruise when their plane crashed around 1 p.m. just north of Gillette, sparking a wildfire. Campbell County officials said.
The aircraft was identified by National Transportation Safety Board officials as a single-engine Pilatus PC-12/47E.
“One of America’s most beloved gospel music families, the Nelons, were involved in a tragic and fatal plane crash Friday afternoon while on the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska,” Gaither Management Group wrote on Facebook.
“Killed in the crash were Jason and Kelly Nealon Clark, Amber and Nathan Kistler and their co-pilot Melody Hodges, along with pilot Larry Haynie and his wife Melissa.”
The Gospel Music Hall of Famer said his surviving daughter, Autumn Nealon Streetman, was not on the plane and had already arrived in Seattle when she learned of the crash.
In a statement, Nealon Streetman thanked fans for their “prayers, which have already been extended to me, my husband Jamie and our soon-to-be-born baby, as well as Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark.”
Formed in 1977 by Kelly Nelon Clark’s father, Rex Nelon, The Nelons perform gospel, hymns, and folk music. The band has recorded more than 35 albums, including Southern Gospel hits such as “We Shall Wear a Robe and Crown” and “Come Morning.”
The group was He was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2016. He has received three Grammy Award nominations as well as six GMA Dove Awards.
The crash on Friday was caused by “an autopilot system issue during flight,” National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Keith Halloway said, citing preliminary information.
He added that investigators have been sent to the scene of the accident to investigate the circumstances of the incident.
A preliminary report on the tragic accident is expected to be prepared within 30 days, while a final report including the probable cause of the crash could take up to two years.
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