A plane crash in Wyoming on Friday afternoon killed three members of the Nelons family gospel group and claimed the lives of four others, including the pilot.
Kelly Nelon Clark, her husband Jason Clark and their daughter Amber Nelon Kistler were on a Gaither homecoming cruise to Alaska when the accident occurred, the Gaither management team said in a statement Saturday.
The National Transportation Safety Board said the crash occurred near Recluse, Wyoming, a community in the northeast of the state.
Kelly and Jason’s other daughter, Adamne Nelon Streetman, who was a member of the crew, was not on the plane. She released a brief statement thanking people “for the prayers already extended to me, my husband Jamie, our soon-to-be-born baby boy, and Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark.”
“We appreciate your continued prayers, love and support as we navigate the coming days,” he said.
The group’s last Instagram post on Friday documented a pit stop in Nebraska.
“Gaither Homecoming Alaskan cruise. We are on our way” Jason Clarke said before panning the camera to show the rest of the group.
Amber’s husband, Nathan Kistler, Melody Hodges, co-pilot Larry Haney and his wife, Melissa, were also killed in the crash.
The cause of the accident was not immediately known. Gaither Management Group said the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident.
An NTSP spokesman said initial reports indicated the Pilatus PC-12/47E, a single-engine turboprop, “impacted terrain following an autopilot problem during flight”.
The spokesperson said the investigation is still in its early stages and no further information is available at this time. The agency sent a team to the crash site. Once the team approaches the aircraft at the remote location, they will begin inspecting the aircraft, the spokesman said.
Haney was the chairman of the Georgia Department of Corrections Board. Department of Corrections said Heiney and his wife were “devoted to each other, their grandchildren and their family” and were “devout supporters of the GTC family.”
Governor Brian Kemp said he was “truly saddened” by the deaths.
“Larry’s impact on our state as chairman of the Georgia Department of Corrections Board and through valuable service to public safety will never be forgotten,” he said in a statement. Report In X. “We will continue to hold his memory and that enduring commitment to his fellow Georgians in our hearts and memories.”
Kemp added: “Our entire family asks that you join us in praying for those lost in this heartbreaking accident, for their loved ones and communities, and for those throughout the gospel music community who have lost dear friends.”
The Nelons have recorded more than 35 albums and amassed more than 20 Top 5 Southern gospel radio singles including “Thank You,” “Come in the Morning,” “We’ll Wear a Robe and a Crown” and “O for a Thousand Tongues.” Their website.
In 2016, they rose to fame in the gospel music arena.
Throughout their career, the four-member group received a Grammy nomination for Best Southern Gospel Album in 1991 and received 35 nominations for GMA Dove Awards. They most recently won the Dove Award for Best Country/Bluegrass/Roots Recorded Song in 2021 for “If God Pulled Back the Curtain.”
“GMA and our entire music community are saddened by the tragic loss of Jason, Kelly and Amber and others involved in the tragic plane crash,” president Jackie Pattillo said in a statement. Report. “Our deepest sympathies and prayers are with Autumn and the rest of the Nelon family. They will forever be cherished and remembered in the GMA Hall of Fame.
