Three members of the Nelons, a Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame quartet, were among seven people killed in a plane crash in Wyoming, according to the surviving member who was not on the aircraft.
The Nelons co-founder, Kelly Nelon Clark, her husband Jason Clark, and their daughter, Amber Nelon Kistler died in the crash Friday afternoon, daughter and fourth band member Autumn Nelon Streetman said in a statement.
“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,” Nelon Streetman said. “We appreciate your continued prayers, love and support as we navigate the coming days.”
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Also killed in the tragic accident were Amber’s husband Nathan Kistler, their assistant Melodi Hodges, and the pilot, Larry Haynie and his wife, Melissa, according to Nelon Streetman.
There were no survivors.
The Atlanta-based Gospel music family was en route to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska when the plane went down, cruise sponsor Gaither Music Group said. Autumn, the family’s youngest daughter, and her husband, Jamie Streetman, were not on the plane and learned of the crash when they arrived safely in Seattle.
The couple was brought to a hotel where gospel singers Bill and Gloria Gaither had gathered with several other artists to pray, sing and mourn with Autumn and Jamie.
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“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,” Gaither Music Group said.
The aircraft was identified as a single engine turboprop Pilatus PC-12/47E, according to the Associated Press.
The crash occurred about 1 p.m. in Campbell County, Wyoming, north of Gillette and about 250 miles north of Cheyenne, according to a statement from Campbell County spokesperson Leslie Perkins.
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National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Keith Holloway said Saturday the incident is under investigation.
“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 told the AP.
The Nelons were inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2016 and were winners of 10 GMA Dove Awards, including multiple song of the year and album of the year awards.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
