An equipment failure may have been the cause of the plane crash that killed three members of gospel group The Nelons and four others.
The Pilatus PC-12/47E single-engine turboprop plane reported “an autopilot problem during flight” before crashing in the Northeast on Friday afternoon. Wyoming.
Beloved members of the Nelons, Kelly Nelon Clark, Jason Clark and Amber Nelon Kistler, died on board. Along with four other people.
Pilot and accident investigator Dan Greider suggested such extreme movement at speeds of up to 300 mph may have caused the plane to break apart in the air.
“Like when you’re walking down the street and you reach out your hand,” Grider said. Cowboy State Daily. “It pushes your hand up with a lot of force.”
Greider said the impact of the plane could have caused a “domino effect” that would have caused parts of the aircraft to break off while it was in the air, forcing passengers to endure every minute of the violent descent leading up to the impact.
An equipment failure may have been the cause of the plane crash that claimed the lives of three members of the gospel group The Nelons and four others. (Pictured: L-R, Jason Clark, Autumn Nelon Clark, Kelly Nelon Clark, and Amber Nelon Clark of the musical group The Nelons)
The single-engine Pilatus PC-12/47E turboprop plane reported “an autopilot problem during flight” before crashing in northeastern Wyoming on Friday afternoon.
Once the plane began to break apart “it’s over,” he told reporters, explaining that at that point it would be impossible to reverse the crash.
He believes the impact would have occurred after two minutes of violent collisions and that everyone on board would have been alive to experience the impact before the crash.
Among the victims were The Nelons: Kelly Nelon Clark, Jason Clark, Amber Nelon Kistler, Nathan Kistler, Melody Hodges, Larry Haney and Melissa Haney.
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) spokesman Keith Holloway told the media that the plane reported an equipment malfunction, a common issue for the aircraft.
Flight data showed the plane bounced violently up and down before plummeting from an altitude of 26,000 feet.
Greider said the impact of the plane could have set off a “domino effect,” causing parts of the aircraft to break off while in the air, forcing passengers to endure every minute of the violent descent leading up to the impact. (Photos: Kelly Nelon Clark, Amber Nelon Thompson, Autumn Nelon Clark and Jason Clark of The Nelons)
A heartbreaking video has been unearthed detailing the final moments of US group The Nelons (pictured from left: Jason Nelon Clark, Melody Hodges, Kelly Nelon Clark and Melissa Haney)
The plane, which had left Nebraska and was en route to Billings, Montana, crashed in northern Campbell County near the Montana state line.
Local police reported finding debris scattered over a wide area, corroborating the aerial fragmentation account.
The crash also caused a massive fire caused by fuel in the plane, which local firefighters battled from the air and ground.
The NTSB is expected to release a preliminary report after its investigation in about two weeks.
“The plane is in a remote location and once (investigators) are granted access they will begin documenting the scene and examining the plane,” Holloway said Saturday. “The plane will then be recovered and taken to a secure facility for further examination.”
Shocking footage filmed by singer Jason Nelon Clark this weekend showed six of the seven victims laughing at each other just hours before the tragic accident.
Jason, Kelly and Amber were all smiles in the post, captioned “Geyser’s Alaska Cruise Vacation Vlog.”
In the video, Melody, Larry and Melissa look excited about the plane ride.
Amber’s husband, Nathan, who was on board the plane at the time of the crash, is not seen in the footage.
“Geither Homecoming Alaska Cruise, on our way now. Just got to Nebraska,” Jason said in the video.
Kelly laughed before the camera turned to show the pilot.
Jason joked, “That’s our great pilot. That’s the guy.”
This tragic video shows a family standing in front of the crashed jet (pictured far right, pilot Larry Haney) before it crashed into a remote area of northeastern Wyoming.
A fourth member who was not on the flight, Autumn (second from left), released a statement on Saturday announcing the tragedy.
The clip ended with the energetic group stating they were heading to Nebraska City and then on to Montana for their second destination.
A fourth member, Autumn, who was not on the flight, released a statement on Saturday announcing the tragedy.
She wrote: “As many of you have already heard, my father and mother, Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, my sister Amber, my brother-in-law Nathan, and our close friends Melody Hodges, Larry and Melissa Haney were involved in a tragic plane crash on Friday.”
“I would like to thank everyone for the prayers that have already been offered to me, my husband, Jamie, and our soon-to-be son, as well as Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark. I appreciate your continued prayers, love and support as we get through the days ahead.”
A statement from Gaither Management Group added: “The Nelnes, one of America’s most beloved gospel music families, were involved in a tragic plane crash Friday afternoon while on the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska.”
Killed in the crash were Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, Amber and Nathan Kistler, co-pilot Melody Hodges, and pilot Larry Haney and his wife Melissa. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident.
Jason and Kelly’s youngest daughter, Autumn, and her husband, Jamie Streetman, were not on the plane and arrived safely in Seattle where they were informed of the accident.
“They were taken to a hotel where artists gathered with Bill and Gloria Gaither to pray, sing and embrace them in their grief and pledge to support them no matter what.”
“Autumn and Jamie have now relocated to Kelly’s brother, Todd Neron, and his wife Rhonda, while they navigate the difficult task ahead. Please keep them and the Kistler, Haney and Melody Hodges families in your prayers.”
