Three of the four members of The Nelons, one of gospel music’s biggest groups, were killed in a plane crash in Wyoming on Friday afternoon, the band’s management confirmed.
Gaither Management Group confirmed in a statement that Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark and their daughter Amber had “tragically died” in a plane crash while en route to Alaska for the Gaither Homecoming Cruise, which was scheduled to depart from Seattle.
Four other people died in the crash, including pilot Larry Haney, his wife Melissa, Amber’s husband Nathan Kistler, and aircrew member Melody Hodges.
The Nelons’ Kelly Nelon Clark, Amber Nelon Thompson, Autumn Nelon Clark and Jason Clark attend the 52nd Annual GMA Dove Awards at Lipscomb Allen Arena on October 19, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Jason Kempin/Getty Images
Hours before the crash, the group posted a video showing them in front of the plane during a pit stop in Nebraska, grabbing a meal and then heading to Montana.
“We’re on our way,” Jason says in the video, which eventually shows all of the victims, including the pilot, Haney, in attendance. The group appears in good spirits as they record their itinerary and introduce their “great pilots.”
“I’ll check back later,” Jason added at the end of the video.
Immediately after the incident, few details were available about what caused the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the accident, told The Daily Beast that “the investigation is still in its early stages, and we don’t have much information at this time,” but it did not provide any identities or numbers of casualties, citing local authorities.
Emergency responders responded to “reports of a plane crash north of Gillette” around 1 p.m., according to Campbell County Public Information Officer Leslie Perkins.
But the NTSB did provide new details, including that a team was on the scene and that the plane, a Pilatus PC-12/47E single-engine turboprop, “struck the ground” at 1:04 p.m., though a spokesperson said that information could change. The spokesperson added that the plane is in a “remote location” but will begin documenting the scene and examining the aircraft. “The aircraft will then be recovered and taken to a secure facility for further evaluation,” the spokesperson said. A preliminary report is not expected to be released for at least 30 days.
The crash sparked a large wildfire that burned several acres and firefighters were battling Friday night. The NTSB said it was collecting records of air traffic control communications, radar data and weather reports as part of its investigation.
The fourth survivor, Autumn (Jason and Kelly’s youngest daughter), was not on the flight. She and her husband, Jamie Streetman, were waiting for family in Seattle when they heard the news.
“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,” their management said.
The couple have since rejoined Kelly’s brother, Todd Neron, and his wife, Rhonda, “as they begin the difficult work ahead.” Their management added that “please keep them and the Kistler, Haney and Melody Hodges families in your prayers.”
“I want to thank my fans for the prayers that have already been offered to me, my husband Jamie, our soon-to-be son, and Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark. I appreciate your continued prayers, love and support as we navigate these days ahead,” Autumn said in a short statement.
Pilot Haney was commissioner of the Georgia Department of Corrections, and he was remembered in an obituary by the Department of Corrections in X.
“We are individually and as an organization heartbroken by this loss,” the statement said. “Larry and Lisa were not only devoted to each other, their grandchildren and their families, but they were also dedicated and fierce supporters of the GDC family. We ask for peace and comfort for their family and the families of others who have been lost today and in the long days ahead as we all move forward through this tragedy.”
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp also offered his condolences to Haney and “all those lost in this horrific plane crash.”
“Larry’s impact on our state will never be forgotten as commissioner of the Georgia Department of Corrections and throughout his career dedicated to public safety,” he said. statement About X. “We will carry his memory and his enduring dedication to his fellow Georgians in our hearts and memories.”
Kemp added: “We ask all of our family to join us in praying for those who have passed away, their loved ones, the community and all in the gospel music community who have lost precious friends in this tragic accident.”
The Nelons have had an illustrious career, having recorded 35 albums and having over 20 songs reach the top 5 singles on Southern Gospel radio. The group was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2016 and has been nominated for a Grammy Award three times. biography The announcement was made on their website. Most recently, they received the 2021 GMA Dove Award for Best Recorded Song in the Country/Bluegrass/Roots category for “If God Pulled Back The Curtain.” In total, they have won 10 GMA Dove Awards, including multiple wins for Song of the Year and Album of the Year.
The band was originally formed in the 1970s by Kelly’s father, Rex Neron.
