Three members of the Nelons, a Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame quartet, along with the chairman of the board overseeing the Georgia Department of Corrections, were among seven individuals who tragically died in a plane crash in Wyoming, according to a statement by a group member who was not aboard the aircraft.
The Nelons co-founder, Kelly Nelon Clark, her husband Jason Clark, and their daughter Amber Nelon Kistler perished in the crash on Friday afternoon, as stated by another daughter, Autumn Nelon Streetman. Autumn is the fourth member of the Georgia-based quartet.
“We deeply appreciate the prayers already extended to me, my husband Jamie, and our soon-to-be-born baby boy, as well as Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark,” Nelon Streetman said. “We value your continued prayers, love, and support as we navigate the coming days.”
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.
Larry Haynie, chairman of the Georgia Board of Corrections, was remembered for “a career of valued public service,” according to a statement from Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp.
“Our entire family is asking everyone to join us in praying for those who have been lost, for their loved ones and communities, and for those throughout the gospel music community who have lost dear friends in this heartbreaking accident,” Kemp said.
The group was traveling to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska, per a statement from Gaither Music Group, the sponsor of the cruise featuring numerous gospel singers and groups.
Gaither Music noted that Hodges was an assistant for the band, and Larry Haynie was the pilot of the aircraft, with Melissa Haynie as his wife. The aircraft was identified as a single-engine turboprop Pilatus PC-12/47E.
The crash happened around 1 p.m. in Campbell County, Wyoming, north of Gillette and approximately 250 miles (402 kilometers) north of Cheyenne, according to a statement from Campbell County spokesperson Leslie Perkins.
Campbell County Fire Department Chief Jeff Bender said on Saturday that a fire caused by the crash had been contained to less than one square mile and that firefighters would remain on the scene throughout the day.
National Transportation Safety Board spokesperson Keith Holloway stated that preliminary information suggested the plane crashed following an “autopilot issue during flight,” and a team of investigators was headed to the site.
“The aircraft is in a remote location and once they gain access, they will begin documenting the scene, examining the aircraft,” Holloway said. “The aircraft will then be recovered and taken to a secure facility for further evaluation.”
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 to complete, Holloway noted.
The Nelons were inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2016 and had won 10 GMA Dove Awards, including multiple song of the year and album of the year awards.