Current:Home > News3 Members of The Nelons Family Gospel Group Dead in Plane Crash -GrowthSphere Strategies
3 Members of The Nelons Family Gospel Group Dead in Plane Crash
View
Date:2025-04-17 03:07:08
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! (144)
Related
- SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
- Russian shelling kills 11 in Donetsk region while Ukraine claims it hit a Crimean air base
- Why Gypsy Rose Blanchard's Ex Nicholas Godejohn Filed a New Appeal in Murder Conviction Case
- Michigan's Jim Harbaugh on possible NFL future: 'I'll gladly talk about it next week'
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- A California law banning the carrying of firearms in most public places is blocked again
- Golden Globes: How to watch, who’s coming and what else to know
- Why Jim Harbaugh should spurn the NFL, stay at Michigan and fight to get players paid
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Ashli Babbitt's family files $30 million lawsuit over Jan. 6 shooting death
Ranking
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- Resurrected Golden Globes will restart the party with ‘Barbie,’ ‘Oppenheimer’ and Swift
- A chance meeting on a Boston street helped a struggling singer share her music with the world
- 24 nifty tips to make 2024 even brighter
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- Michael Bolton reveals he had brain tumor surgery, taking a break from touring
- Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay's husband files for divorce after four years of marriage
- 10 predictions for the rest of the 2024 MLB offseason | Nightengale's Notebook
Recommendation
Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
Rafael Nadal withdraws from Australian Open with injury just one tournament into comeback
Homicide suspect sentenced to 25-plus years to 50-plus years in escape, kidnapping of elderly couple
2024 starts with shrinking abortion access in US. Here's what's going on.
Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
A transgender candidate in Ohio was disqualified from the state ballot for omitting her former name
A Pentagon mystery: Why was Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s hospital stay kept secret for days?
FAA orders grounding of certain Boeing 737 Max 9 planes after Alaska Airlines incident