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Tragedy struck the Gospel music community as seven individuals, including three members of the renowned Nelons quartet, perished in a plane crash in Wyoming. This information was confirmed by a member of the group who was not on board the aircraft.
The Nelons co-founder Kelly Nelon Clark, her spouse Jason Clark, and their daughter Amber Nelon Kistler tragically lost their lives in the incident, which occurred on Friday afternoon. Their daughter Autumn Nelon Streetman, the fourth member of the quartet, shared the heartbreaking news.
In her statement, Autumn expressed gratitude for the prayers offered by friends and family during this difficult time for her and her husband, Jamie, as they await the birth of their son. She requested continued support as they face the days ahead.
Also among the deceased were Amber Nelon Kistler’s husband, Nathan Kistler, family friend Melodi Hodges, and the pilot Larry Haynie along with his wife Melissa Haynie.
The crash resulted in no survivors.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp paid tribute to Larry Haynie, recognizing his dedication to public service through his role as chairman of the Georgia Board of Corrections. He urged the community to join in prayer for the families affected by this devastating loss.
Journey to the Gaither Homecoming Cruise
The group was en route to participate in the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska, an event organized by Gaither Music Group, featuring a lineup of gospel artists and groups. The crash involved a single-engine turboprop Pilatus PC-12/47E, with Hodges serving as an assistant for the group.
The accident occurred around 1 p.m. in Campbell County, located north of Gillette and approximately 400 kilometers from Cheyenne. According to Campbell County spokesperson Leslie Perkins, the crash resulted in a fire that has since been contained to a small area, with local firefighters remaining on site to manage the aftermath.
Investigators from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are examining the site, with preliminary findings suggesting an autopilot malfunction may have contributed to the crash. NTSB spokesman Keith Holloway stated that a team is on its way to document the scene and retrieve the aircraft for a thorough evaluation.
While a preliminary report is expected to be available within 30 days, determining the final cause of the crash could take as long as two years, according to Holloway.
The Nelons, celebrated for their contributions to gospel music, were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2016 and garnered ten GMA Dove Awards, highlighting their significant impact on the genre.
Source
www.cbc.ca