Current:Home > Contact3 Members of The Nelons Family Gospel Group Dead in Plane Crash -ProfitMasters Hub
3 Members of The Nelons Family Gospel Group Dead in Plane Crash
View
Date:2025-04-19 11:55:55
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! (817)
Related
- Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
- College Football Playoff bracketology: SEC, Big Ten living up to expectations
- Prosecutors charge 10 with failing to disperse during California protest
- Tallulah Willis Details Painful Days Amid Dad Bruce Willis' Health Battle
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- Anna Delvey's 'lackluster' 'Dancing With the Stars' debut gets icy reception from peeved viewers
- Gilmore Girls’ Lauren Graham Reunites With Kelly Bishop—And It's Not Even Friday Night
- 3 dead in wrong-way crash on busy suburban Detroit highway
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Federal Reserve is set to cut interest rates for the first time in 4 years
Ranking
- The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding
- How can I resolve a hostile email exchange before it escalates? Ask HR
- New program will help inmates earn high school diplomas with tablets
- Couple rescued by restaurant staff after driving into water at South Carolina marina
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
- Sean “Diddy” Combs Pleads Not Guilty in Sex Trafficking Case After Arrest
- Fed rate cuts are coming. But will they be big or small? It's a gamble
- City approves plan for Oklahoma hoops, gymnastics arena in $1.1B entertainment district
Recommendation
Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
Florence Pugh Confirms New Relationship 2 Years After Zach Braff Split
Speaker Johnson takes another crack at spending bill linked to proof of citizenship for new voters
Man now faces murder charge for police pursuit crash that killed Missouri officer
NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
Bachelorette: Jenn Tran's Ex Devin Strader Was Arrested, Had Restraining Order From Ex-Girlfriend in Past
AP PHOTOS: Life continues for Ohio community after Trump falsely accused Haitians of eating pets
Sean “Diddy” Combs Arrest: Lawyer Says He’s in “Treatment and Therapy” Amid Sex Trafficking Charges