Members of the world’s most beloved music band have died in horror plane crash on route to concert.
The last member of the group released a heartfelt statement about the deaths.
The Nelons, a beloved gospel family known worldwide, were tragically involved in a fatal plane crash while en route to a concert.
The accident claimed the lives of seven people, including Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, their daughter Amber, and their son-in-law Nathan Kistler. Also among the deceased were Melodi Hodges, a family employee, and pilot Larry Haynie and his wife Melissa. Autumn Nelon Streetman, the fourth member of the group, was not on the plane at the time.
The plane crashed over Wyoming as the group was traveling to Alaska to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise. Emergency workers and firefighters rushed to the scene due to a wildfire that had erupted. The plane was reported to have burst into flames upon impact. According to the Wyoming sheriff’s office, there were no survivors.
In her statement about the tragedy, Autumn Nelon Streetman said, “As many of you know by now, my parents, Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, along with my sister Amber, brother-in-law Nathan, and our dear friends Melodi Hodges, Larry, and Melissa Haynie, were in a terrible plane crash on Friday.”
She expressed gratitude for the support received: “Thank you for the prayers that have already been said for me, my husband Jamie, our soon-to-be-born son, and Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark. Your continued love, prayers, and support will help us through the coming days.”
A video taken just before the flight shows Jason talking with his family and the pilot on a Nebraska runway, all smiling.
FlightAware.com reports that the aircraft was a Pilatus PC-12/47E owned by Haynie Enterprises. The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash.
The Nelons were inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2016 and are considered one of the most influential families in US gospel history. Their notable hits include “I Shall Not Be Moved,” “Come Morning,” and “We Shall Wear a Robe and Crown.” Throughout their career, they received three Grammy nominations.