Three of the four members of one of gospel’s biggest groups, The Nelons, were killed Friday afternoon in a plane crash in Wyoming, 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 ship was scheduled to depart from Seattle.
All four people died 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 on what caused the crash are scarce. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident 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 crashed aircraft north of Gillette” around 1 p.m.
The NTSB said there was a crew at the wreckage site and the plane, a single-engine turboprop Pilatus PC-12/47E, “impacted terrain” at 1:04 p.m., though a spokeswoman said that information could change. They said the plane was in a “remote location” but hoped to document the scene and examine 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. The NTSB said it is collecting records of air traffic control communications, radar data and weather reports as part of its investigation.
The wreck sparked a massive wildfire that firefighters were still battling Friday night.
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 when they got the bad news.
“They were brought to the hotel where the artists had gathered with Bill and Gloria Gaither, who offered to pray, sing, comfort them in their grief, and promise to support them in any need,” management said.
The pair have 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 will never be forgotten, both as chairman of the Georgia Department of Corrections Board and through valuable service to public safety,” 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 was featured on the gospel music scene in 2016, and has been 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 started in the 1970s by Kelly’s father, Rex Nelon.
