Current:Home > News3 Members of The Nelons Family Gospel Group Dead in Plane Crash -Zenith Profit Hub
3 Members of The Nelons Family Gospel Group Dead in Plane Crash
View
Date:2025-04-18 12:28:19
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! (6774)
Related
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- Getty Images reverses flag that Prince Archie christening photo was 'digitally enhanced'
- $6,500 school vouchers coming to Georgia as bill gets final passage and heads to governor
- Amazon's Big Spring Sale Deals on Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks for $29, Fire Tablets for $64 & More
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- Our Place Cookware: Everything To Know about the Trending Kitchen Brand
- Women's NCAA Tournament blew up in 2021 over inequality. It was a blessing in disguise.
- Head of fractured Ohio House loses some GOP allies, but may yet keep leadership role amid infighting
- Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
- Metropolitan Opera presents semi-staged `Turandot’ after stage malfunction
Ranking
- Bill Belichick's salary at North Carolina: School releases football coach's contract details
- FBI: ‘Little rascals’ trio, ages 11, 12 and 16, arrested for robbing a Houston bank
- NFL rumors target WR Brandon Aiyuk this week. Here's 5 best fits if 49ers trade him
- 2-year-old struck, killed after 3-year-old gets behind wheel of truck at California gas station
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
- When does the 'Halo' Season 2 finale come out? Release date, time, cast, where to watch
- Federal officials want to know how airlines handle — and share — passengers’ personal information
- Who is Brian Peck? Ex-Nickelodeon coach convicted of lewd acts with minor back in spotlight
Recommendation
In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
Drake Bell Responds to Backlash Over Costar Josh Peck's Silence on Quiet on Set Docuseries
Bill to offset student debt through tax credit passes Pennsylvania House
Businessman pleads guilty in polygamous leader's scheme to orchestrate sexual acts involving underage girls
2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
$6,500 school vouchers coming to Georgia as bill gets final passage and heads to governor
Funeral home owners accused of storing nearly 200 decaying bodies to enter pleas
1 of the few remaining survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor has died at 102