RECLUSE, WY (CelebrityAccess) – Three members of the Georgia-based family gospel group The Nelons were killed in a plane crash in Wyoming on Friday (July 26). The tragedy also claimed the lives of four others, including the pilot.
Kelly Nelon Clark, her husband Jason Clark, and their daughter Amber Nelon Kistler were en route to the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska when the crash occurred, according to a statement from Gaither Management Group on Saturday (July 27). The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that the crash took place near Recluse, Wyoming, a northeastern community in the state.
Kelly and Jason’s other daughter, Autumn Nelon Streetman, was not on the plane. She released a brief statement expressing gratitude 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.” Streetman added, “We appreciate your continued prayers, love, and support as we navigate the coming days.”
The group’s last Instagram post was on Friday (July 26), documenting a pit stop in Nebraska. Jason said, “Gaither Homecoming Alaskan cruise. We are on our way,” while showing the rest of the group.
Also killed in the crash were Amber’s husband, Nathan Kistler; Melodi Hodges, an assistant; and pilot Larry Haynie and his wife, Melissa.
The cause of the crash is not yet clear. The NTSB said preliminary information indicates that a Pilatus PC-12/47E, a single-engine turboprop, “impacted terrain following a reported autopilot issue during flight.” The investigation is in its early stages, with a team being sent to the crash site to begin examining the aircraft.
Haynie was a chairman of the Georgia Department of Corrections Board. The department said Haynie and his wife were “devoted to one another, to their grandchildren and family” and “staunch supporters of the GDC family.” Gov. Brian Kemp expressed his sorrow over the deaths, saying, “As chairman of the Georgia Department of Corrections Board and through a career of valued service in public safety, Larry’s impact on our state will not be forgotten.” Kemp asked for prayers for the families and communities affected by the accident.
The Nelons have recorded over 35 albums and achieved more than 20 Top 5 Southern Gospel radio singles, including “Thanks,” “Come Morning,” “We Shall Wear a Robe and Crown,” and “O for a Thousand Tongues.” They were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2016.
Throughout their career, the four-person group received a Grammy nomination for Best Southern gospel album in 1991 and 35 GMA Dove Award nominations. They most recently won a Dove Award for country/bluegrass/roots recorded song of the year in 2021 for “If God Pulled Back the Curtain.”
RIP.
