Tragically, three members of the renowned gospel group the Nelons were killed in a plane crash on Friday in Wyoming. The family members who died were Kelly Nelon Clark, her husband Jason Clark, and their daughter Amber Nelon Kistler. They were en route to perform at the Gaither Homecoming Alaska Cruise, which was set to depart from Seattle.
The single-engine turboprop Pilatus PC-12/47E, carrying seven people, crashed around 1 p.m. on Friday in Campbell County, Wyoming. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the crash. A spokesperson from the National Transportation Safety Board mentioned that the plane went down in a remote area and that investigators had not yet reached the site, where firefighters were battling a multi-acre blaze near the crash location.
Autumn Nelon Streetman, another daughter of Kelly and Nelon, was not on the plane. She expressed gratitude for the outpouring of prayers and support for her and her family during this difficult time.
The crash also claimed the lives of Amber Nelon Kistler’s husband, Nathan Kistler; family friend and assistant Melodi Hodges; the plane’s pilot, Larry Haynie, who was also the Georgia Department of Corrections Board chairman; and Haynie’s wife, Melissa.
Before the crash, the group had posted a video from Nebraska City, Nebraska, where they cheerfully chatted about their next stop in Montana.
Gaither Family Management has stated that Autumn and her husband, Jamie Streetman, who were not on the plane, were brought to a hotel with other artists to receive support from Bill and Gloria Gaither. The family will be heading back home to begin the difficult process of dealing with their loss.
The Nelons, inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2016, were known for their contributions to Southern gospel music, with 20 top 5 songs and multiple Dove Awards to their name. Their sound combined gospel, a cappella, hymns, Americana, folk, and inspirational music. The group has been a prominent part of the genre since the 1970s, with Kelly Nelon joining the group in 1972, followed by Jason in 1994 and Amber in 2002.
The Gospel Music Association expressed deep sorrow over the loss and extended condolences to the Nelon family. Georgia’s governor also urged everyone to join in prayer for those affected by the accident and the gospel music community.
The seven-day Gaither Homecoming Cruise, which was supposed to start on Saturday and run until August 3, was set to feature performances by Bill & Gloria Gaither, the Gaither Vocal Band, Mark Lowry, Russ Taff, Sandi Patty, and other Christian music stars.
