Three members of The Nelons, a quartet inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame, are among seven people killed in a plane crash in Wyoming, according to a statement from a member of the group who was not on board the plane.
The 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 offered to me, my husband, Jamie, and our future baby boy, as well as Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark,” Nelon Streetman said. “We appreciate your continued prayers, love and support as we navigate the days ahead.”
Nelon Kistler’s husband, Nathan Kistler, family friend Melodi Hodges, and Larry and Melissa Haynie were also killed in the crash, according to Nelon Streetman.
There were no survivors.
The group was traveling to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise in Alaska, according to a statement from Gaither Music Group, the cruise’s sponsor that features many gospel singers and groups.
Gaither Music said Hodges was the band’s assistant. 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.
The crash happened around 1 p.m. local time 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 a team of investigators was expected on scene later Saturday.
“The aircraft is in a remote location and once they gain access, they will begin documenting the scene and 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 said.
The Nelons were inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2016 and have won 10 GMA Dove Awards, including multiple Song of the Year and Album of the Year awards.
