Current:Home > News3 Members of The Nelons Family Gospel Group Dead in Plane Crash -ProsperityStream Academy
3 Members of The Nelons Family Gospel Group Dead in Plane Crash
View
Date:2025-04-11 21:06:55
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! (75549)
Related
- A New York Appellate Court Rejects a Broad Application of the State’s Green Amendment
- Wreckage from WWII Tuskegee airman's plane recovered from Michigan lake
- Ex-wife charged with murder in ambush-style killing of Microsoft executive Jared Bridegan, may face death penalty
- 2nd person found dead in eastern Washington wildfires, hundreds of structures burned
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Ecuadorians reject oil drilling in the Amazon in historic decision
- Arkansas education secretary says state to review districts’ AP African American Studies materials
- Eric Decker Strips Down in Support of Wife Jessie James Decker’s Latest Venture
- Tony Hawk drops in on Paris skateboarding and pushes for more styles of sport in LA 2028
- Amazon Shoppers Swear This $8 Spray Is the Secret to Long, Damage-Free Hair
Ranking
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
- 3 dead, 6 wounded in Seattle hookah lounge shooting; no word on suspects
- A right-wing sheriffs group that challenges federal law is gaining acceptance around the country
- Georgia sheriff pleads guilty to groping TV Judge Hatchett
- Report: Lauri Markkanen signs 5-year, $238 million extension with Utah Jazz
- USA TODAY Book Club: Join Richard E. Grant to discuss memoir 'A Pocketful of Happiness'
- The Bachelorette Season 20 Finale: Find Out If Charity Lawson Got Engaged
- 850 people are still missing after Maui wildfires, mayor says
Recommendation
Carolinas bracing for second landfall from Tropical Storm Debby: Live updates
Feds charge former oil trader in international bribery scheme involving Mexican officials
Dentist convicted of killing wife on African safari set to be sentenced to life in prison
Preliminary magnitude 5.1 quake shakes Southern California amid Hilary threat
RFK Jr. closer to getting on New Jersey ballot after judge rules he didn’t violate ‘sore loser’ law
Some people swear by sea salt spray. What is it?
Charlize Theron claps back at plastic surgery allegations: 'My face is changing and aging'
Mass shootings spur divergent laws as states split between gun rights and control