Three members of the Nelons, a Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame quartet and the chairman of the board that oversees the Georgia Department of Correctional Resources were among the seven people killed in a plane crash in Wyoming, according to a statement from a member of the group who he was not on the plane.
Nelons co-founder Kelly Nelon Clark, her husband Jason Clark and their daughter Amber Nelon Kistler died in the crash Friday (July 26) afternoon, according to a statement from another daughter, Autumn Nelon Streetman. He is the fourth member of the Georgia-based quartet.
“Thank you for the prayers that have already gone out to me, my husband, Jamie, and our soon-to-be-born baby, and to Jason's parents, Dan and Linda Clark,” Nelon Streetman said. “We appreciate your continued prayers, love and support as we navigate the next few days.”
Also killed in the crash were Nelon Kistler's husband, Nathan Kistler, family friend Melodi Hodges and Larry and Melissa Haynie, according to Nelon Streetman.
There were no survivors.
Larry Haney was president of the Georgia Board of Corrections and was remembered for “a career of valuable public service,” according to a statement from Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp.
“Our entire family asks everyone to join us in prayer for those lost, for their loved ones and their communities, and for those throughout the gospel music community who lost dear friends in this heartbreaking accident,” Kemp said.
The group was traveling to participate in the Gaither Homecoming Cruise in Alaska, according to a statement from Gaither Music Group, the sponsor of the cruise that features several gospel singers and groups.
Gaither Music said Hodges was a band assistant and that Larry Haynie was the pilot of the plane and Melissa Haynie was his wife. The aircraft was identified as a Pilatus PC-12/47E single-engine turboprop.
The crash happened about 1 p.m. in Campbell County, Wyoming, north of Gillette and about 402 kilometers north of Cheyenne, according to a statement from Campbell County spokeswoman Leslie Perkins.
Campbell County Fire Marshal Jeff Bender said in a statement Saturday that the fire caused by the crash has been contained to less than a square mile and that firefighters will remain on the scene throughout the day.
National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Keith Holloway said Saturday that preliminary information indicated the plane crashed after “a problem with the autopilot during flight” and a team of investigators was headed to the scene.
“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 on the probable cause of the crash could take up to two years to complete, Holloway said.
Nelon was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2016 and has been the winner of 10 GMA Dove Awards, including multiple Song of the Year and album of the Year awards.
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