A devastating plane crash in Wyoming resulted in the death of seven people, including three members of the renowned gospel group, The Nelons. The fatalities were confirmed by the Gaither Management group and included Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, Amber and Nathan Kistler, their assistant Melodi Hodges, and the pilot Larry Haynie and his wife, Melissa.
The Nelons, a cherished gospel music family in the United States, were traveling to the Gaither Homecoming Cruise in Alaska when the accident happened on Friday afternoon. Autumn, the daughter of Jason and Kelly, announced the tragic news on Instagram, accompanied by a personal statement.
Before the accident, The Nelons had posted a video from Nebraska City, indicating they were en route to Montana. The crash occurred in Campbell County, Wyoming, around 1 p.m. on Friday, according to Campbell County spokesperson Leslie Perkins.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating the incident. Keith Holloway, a spokesperson for the NTSB, disclosed on Saturday that preliminary information suggested a potential “auto-pilot issue during flight” may have been the cause of the crash. A team of investigators has been sent to the crash site.
The Nelons, who were inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2016, have a distinguished history in the gospel music industry. They have been recognized with 10 GMA Dove Awards, including multiple honors for song of the year and album of the year.