Three Members of Gospel Group; The Nelons Killed in Plane Crash

Three members of the family gospel group, The Nelons, died in a plane crash in Wyoming on Friday afternoon, which also claimed the lives of four others, including the pilot.

Kelly Nelon Clark, her husband Jason Clark, and their daughter Amber Nelon Kistler were en route to the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska when the crash happened, according to a statement from the Gaither Management Group on Saturday.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that the crash occurred near Recluse, Wyoming, in the northeastern part of the state.

Kelly and Jason’s other daughter, Autumn Nelon Streetman, also a member of the group, was not on the plane. She expressed her gratitude for the “prayers that have been extended already to me, my husband, Jamie, and our soon-to-be-born baby boy, as well as Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark.”

“We appreciate your continued prayers, love, and support as we navigate the coming days,” she said.

The group’s last Instagram post was on Friday, documenting a pit stop in Nebraska.

“Gaither Homecoming Alaskan cruise. We are on our way,” Jason Clark said in a video showing the rest of the group.

Also killed in the crash were Amber’s husband Nathan Kistler, assistant Melodi Hodges, pilot Larry Haynie, and his wife, Melissa.

The cause of the crash is not yet clear. The NTSB is investigating the incident. Preliminary information suggests that the Pilatus PC-12/47E, a single-engine turboprop, “impacted terrain following a reported autopilot issue during flight.”

A spokesperson for the NTSB indicated that the investigation is in its early stages, and more information will be available once a team reaches the remote crash site to examine the aircraft.

Larry Haynie was a Georgia Department of Corrections Board chairman. The corrections department noted that Haynie and his wife were “devoted to one another, to their grandchildren and family,” and were also strong supporters of the GDC family.

Governor Brian Kemp expressed his sorrow over the deaths.

“As chairman of the Georgia Department of Corrections Board and through a career of valued service in public safety, Larry’s impact on our state will not be forgotten,” Kemp said in a statement on 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 is asking everyone to join us in praying for those who have been lost, for their loved ones and communities, and for those throughout the gospel music community who have lost dear friends in this heartbreaking accident.”

The Nelons have recorded over 35 albums and achieved more than 20 Top 5 Southern Gospel radio singles with songs like “Thanks,” “Come Morning,” “We Shall Wear a Robe and Crown,” and “O for a Thousand Tongues,” according to their website.

They were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2016.

Throughout their career, the group received a Grammy nomination for best Southern gospel album in 1991 and earned 35 nominations for the GMA Dove Awards. They most recently won a Dove Award for country/bluegrass/roots recorded song of the year in 2021 for “If God Pulled Back the Curtain.”

“The GMA and our entire music community is grieving over the tragic loss of Jason, Kelly, and Amber, as well as the others involved in the tragic plane crash,” President Jackie Patillo said in a statement. “Our deepest condolences and prayers are with Autumn and the rest of the Nelon family. They will be forever cherished and remembered in the GMA Hall of Fame.”