Three of the four members of one of gospel’s biggest groups, The Nelons, were killed in a plane crash in Wyoming Friday afternoon, their management confirmed.
Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark and their daughter Amber died in a “tragic, fatal” plane crash en route to join a Gaither homecoming cruise to Alaska, the Gaither management team confirmed in a statement. The event was scheduled to depart from Seattle.
Four others were killed in the crash, including the pilot, Larry Haney and his wife, Melissa, Amber’s husband, Nathan Kistler, and co-pilot, Melody Hodges.
Kelly Nelon Clark, Amber Nelon Thompson, Autumn Nelon Clark and Jason Clark of The Nelons attend the 52nd GMA Dove Awards at Lipscomb Allen Arena on October 19, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Jason Kempin/Getty Images
Hours before the crash, the group posted a video in front of a plane during a pit stop in Nebraska, saying they were going to grab food and head to Montana.
“We’re on our way,” Jason says in the video, which eventually goes to all the victims, including pilot Haynie. The team appears to be in good spirits as they document their itinerary and introduce their “fantastic pilot”.
“We’ll check back later,” Jason adds at the end of the video.
Details about what led up to the crash in the immediate aftermath are slim. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash and told the Daily Beast, “It’s very early in the investigation and not much information is available at this time.” However, it did not confirm the identities or the death toll, citing local officials.
According to Campbell County Public Information Officer Leslie Perkins, emergency responders rushed to a “report of a downed aircraft north of Gillette” around 1 p.m.
However, a team remains at the wreckage site and at 1.04pm the NTSB revealed new details, including that the plane, a single-engine turboprop Pilatus PC-12/47E, “impacted terrain”, although a spokesman cited that information could change. . They said the plane was in a “distant location,” but they are expected to begin documenting the scene and examining the plane. “The aircraft will be recovered and transported to a secure facility for further evaluation,” the spokesman said. A preliminary report is not expected for at least 30 days.
Firefighters battled a massive, multi-acre wildfire Friday night due to the debris. The NTSB said it is collecting records of air traffic control communications, radar data and weather reports as part of its investigation.
A fourth, surviving member, Autumn—Jason and Kelly’s youngest daughter—was not on the plane. She and her husband, Jamie Streetman, were waiting for family in Seattle.
“They were brought to the hotel where the artists had gathered with Bill and Gloria Gaither, who prayed, sang, comforted them in their grief, and promised to support them in any need,” management said.
The couple has instead returned home to Kelly’s brother, Todd Nelon, and his wife, Rhonda, to “begin the difficult tasks ahead.” Management added: “Please keep the Kistler family, the Haynie family and the Melody Hodges family in your prayers.”
In a short statement of her own, Autumn thanked fans for 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. We appreciate.
The pilot, Haney, was chairman of the Georgia Department of Corrections Board and is remembered in a Department of Corrections tribute post at X.
“We are heartbroken as individuals and as a company by this loss,” the statement said. “Larry and Lisa were devoted to each other, their grandchildren and their family, but they were also devoted supporters of the GDC family. Please pray for peace and comfort for their family and the families of others who have lost their lives today and in the days to come as we all move through this grief.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp paid tribute to Haney and “all those lost in this terrible plane crash.”
“Larry’s impact on our state as chairman of the Georgia Department of Corrections Board and through valuable service to public safety will never be forgotten,” he said in a statement. Report In X. “We will continue to hold his memory and his enduring commitment to his fellow Georgians in our hearts and memories.”
Kemp added: “Our entire family asks that you join us in praying for those lost in this heartbreaking accident, for their loved ones and communities, and for those throughout the gospel music community who have lost dear friends.”
The Nelons have an impressive resume with 35 albums recorded and over 20 top 5 Southern gospel radio singles. The group topped the gospel music charts in 2016 and was nominated for three Grammy Awards. Autobiography on their website. Most recently, “If God Pulled Back the Curtain” was awarded Best Country/Bluegrass/Roots Record of 2021 by the GMAs. In total, they won 10 GMA Dove Awards, including multiple Song of the Year and Album of the Year awards.
The band was originally started in the 1970s by Kelly’s father, Rex Nelon.
