Current:Home > Invest3 Members of The Nelons Family Gospel Group Dead in Plane Crash -WealthPro Academy
3 Members of The Nelons Family Gospel Group Dead in Plane Crash
View
Date:2025-04-13 08:05:44
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! (45391)
Related
- Mega Millions winning numbers for August 6 drawing: Jackpot climbs to $398 million
- Donald Glover Shares He Privately Married Michelle White—Then Went to Work on the Same Day
- Polish leader says US Republican senators should be ashamed for scuttling Ukrainian aid
- CDC is investigating gastrointestinal sickness on luxury cruise ship Queen Victoria
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- Snoop Dogg sues Walmart and Post, claiming they sabotaged cereal brands
- When does 'Young Sheldon' return? Season 7 premiere date, cast, where to watch and stream
- Inside a Gaza hospital as U.S. doctors help carry out a small miracle to save a young life shattered by war
- Bet365 ordered to refund $519K to customers who it paid less than they were entitled on sports bets
- 10 cars of cargo train carrying cooking oil and plastic pellets derail in New York, 2 fall in river
Ranking
- Residents worried after ceiling cracks appear following reroofing works at Jalan Tenaga HDB blocks
- Donald Glover Shares He Privately Married Michelle White—Then Went to Work on the Same Day
- ESPN, Fox and Warner Bros. teaming up to create a new sports streaming service
- Mo'Nique slams Tiffany Haddish, Oprah Winfrey and Kevin Hart in scathing podcast: 'You betrayed me'
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- Horoscopes Today, February 8, 2024
- Record rainfall, triple-digit winds, hundreds of mudslides. Here’s California’s storm by the numbers
- Virginia Democrats are sending gun-control bills to a skeptical Gov. Youngkin
Recommendation
From bitter rivals to Olympic teammates, how Lebron and Steph Curry became friends
'It's not rocket science': NFL turf debate rages on although 92% of players prefer grass
Coca-Cola debuts spicy raspberry soda amid amped-up snack boom
Tiger Woods to make first PGA Tour start since 2023 Masters at Genesis Invitational
Messi injury update: Ankle 'better every day' but Inter Miami star yet to play Leagues Cup
GOP says Biden has all the power he needs to control the border. The reality is far more complicated
Inside a Gaza hospital as U.S. doctors help carry out a small miracle to save a young life shattered by war
Biden Administration partners with US sports leagues, player unions to promote nutrition