Current:Home > Finance3 Members of The Nelons Family Gospel Group Dead in Plane Crash -SecureNest Finance
3 Members of The Nelons Family Gospel Group Dead in Plane Crash
View
Date:2025-04-12 03:57:49
The gospel music community is in mourning.
Three members of The Nelons, a Grammy-nominated family gospel group, died in a private plane crash in Wyoming that claimed the lives of all seven people aboard July 26.
Singers Kelly Nelon Clark, 64, husband Jason Clark, and their daughter Amber Nelon Kistler, 35, were killed along with the latter's husband Nathan Kistler, 34, the Georgia-based band's assistant, Melodi Hodges, plus the pilot, Larry Haynie, and his wife, Melissa Haynie, Gaither Management Group said in a statement.
"One of the best loved Gospel music families in America," the company said. "The Nelons were involved in a tragic, fatal plane crash on Friday afternoon on their way to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska."
Kelly and Jason's youngest daughter, fellow Nelons singer Autumn Nelon Streetman, 27, who had traveled separately to the cruise along with her husband Jamie Streetman. Following the crash, Autumn, who is in the second trimester of her pregnancy with the couple's first child, thanked fans for their support.
"Thank you for the prayers that have been extended already to me, my husband, Jamie, and our soon-to-be-born baby boy, as well as Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark," she wrote on Instagram. "We appreciate your continued prayers, love and support as we navigate the coming days."
The single-engine Pilatus PC-12 aircraft had flown from Georgia to Nebraska City, Neb. the morning of July 26 and then took off again that afternoon, headed for another stop in Billings, Mont., according to flight records obtained by E! News.
WSB-TV in Atlanta reported that the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are both investigating the cause of the crash, which occurred in a remote area north of Gillette, Wyo.
An NTSB spokesperson told British newspaper The Guardian that preliminary information indicated the accident took place following an “autopilot issue during flight."
Hours before the accident, the Nelons shared a travel vlog from a Nebraska airport on Instagram.
Autumn, the only surviving member of the Nelons, and her husband were notified of the plane crash upon their arrival at their destination, Gaither Management Group said in their statement.
"They were brought to the hotel where artists were gathered with Bill and Gloria Gaither to pray, sing and embrace them in their grief," the company said in their statement, "pledging to support them in whatever needs arise."
The management group added that "Autumn and Jamie will return home for now to Kelly's brother, Todd Nelon and his wife, Rhonda, to begin the hard tasks that lie ahead. Please keep them, the Kistler family, the Haynie family and the family of Melodi Hodges in your prayers."
Rex Nelon, Kelly's late father, founded the band in the late '70s. The group, whose lineup has changed over the decades, was nominated for a Grammy for Best Southern Gospel Album for Let The Redeemed Say So in 1991. The Nelons were also known for songs such as "I Shall Not Be Moved" and "We Shall Wear a Robe and Crown."
Autumn, the only surviving member of the Nelons, and her husband were notified of the plane crash upon their arrival at their destination, Gaither Management Group said in their statement.
"They were brought to the hotel where artists were gathered with Bill and Gloria Gaither to pray, sing and embrace them in their grief," the company said in their statement, "pledging to support them in whatever needs arise."
The management group added that "Autumn and Jamie will return home for now to Kelly's brother, Todd Nelon and his wife, Rhonda, to begin the hard tasks that lie ahead. Please keep them, the Kistler family, the Haynie family and the family of Melodi Hodges in your prayers."
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (511)
Related
- The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
- Summer heat is causing soda cans to burst on Southwest Airlines flights, injuring flight attendants
- WNBA players’ union head concerned league is being undervalued in new media deal
- Jack Black cancels Tenacious D tour as Australia officials criticize Kyle Gass' Trump comment
- Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
- What's financial toll for Team USA Olympians? We asked athletes how they make ends meet.
- Family of Alabama man killed during botched robbery has 'long forgiven' death row inmate
- Alabama set to execute man for fatal shooting of a delivery driver during a 1998 robbery attempt
- Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
- Splash Into Summer With Lands’ End 40% off Sitewide & 75% off Clearance Sale on Swimwear, Coverups & More
Ranking
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- It's National Hot Dog Day! Here's how to cook a 'perfect' hot dog.
- Climate change is making days longer, according to new research
- Video shows Wisconsin police dramatically chase suspects attempting to flee in a U-Haul
- 'Most Whopper
- How to know if you were affected by the AT&T data breach and what to do next
- Thailand officials say poisoning possible as 6 found dead in Bangkok hotel, including Vietnamese Americans
- Kim Kardashian Details Horrible Accident That Left Her With Broken Fingers
Recommendation
Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
California first state to get federal funds for hydrogen energy hub to help replace fossil fuels
Mike Tyson set to resume preparations for Jake Paul fight after layoff for ulcer flareup
Greenhouses are becoming more popular, but there’s little research on how to protect workers
Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
Chanel West Coast Reveals Why She Really Left Ridiculousness
John Deere drops diversity initiatives, pledges to no longer join 'social or cultural awareness parades'
Horoscopes Today, July 17, 2024