3 members of Gospel Music Hall of Fame quartet among 7 killed in Wyoming plane crash

Three members of the Nelons, a Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame quartet and the chairman of the board that oversees the Georgia Department of Corrections were among seven people killed in a plane crash in Wyoming, according to a statement from a member of the group who was not on board the aircraft.

Nelons co-founder Kelly Nelon Clark, her husband Jason Clark and their daughter, Amber Nelon Kistler, died in the crash Friday afternoon, according to a statement from another daughter, Autumn Nelon Streetman. She is the fourth member of the Georgia-based quartet.

“Thank you for the prayers that have already been extended to me, my husband, Jamie, and our soon-to-be-born son, as well as Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark,” said Nelon Streetman. “We appreciate your continued prayers, love and support as we navigate the days ahead.”

Also killed in the crash were Nelon Kistler’s husband, Nathan Kistler, family friend Melodi Hodges, and Larry and Melissa Haynie, according to Nelon Streetman.

There were no survivors.

Larry Haynie was president of the Georgia Board of Corrections and was remembered for “a career of valuable public service,” according to an affirmation from Georgia Governor Brian Kemp.

“Our entire family is asking everyone to join us in praying for those lost, for their loved ones and communities, and for those throughout the gospel music community who lost dear friends in this heartbreaking accident,” Kemp said. .

The group was traveling to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska, according to a statement from Gaither Music Group, a sponsor of the cruise that features several gospel singers and groups.

Gaither Music said that Hodges was the band’s assistant and that Larry Haynie was the aircraft’s pilot and Melissa Haynie was his wife. The aircraft was identified as a single-engine Pilatus PC-12/47E turboprop.

The crash occurred around 1 p.m. in Campbell County, Wyoming, north of Gillette and about 250 miles (402 kilometers) north of Cheyenne, according to a statement from Campbell County spokeswoman Leslie Perkins.

Campbell County Fire Department Jeff Bender said in a statement Saturday that the fire caused by the crash was contained to less than a square mile and that firefighters would remain on scene throughout the day.

National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Keith Holloway said Saturday that preliminary information indicated the plane crashed after an “in-flight autopilot issue” and a team of investigators was heading to the scene.

“The aircraft is in a remote location and as soon as they gain access they will begin documenting the scene, examining the aircraft,” Holloway said. “The aircraft will then be recovered and taken to a secure facility for further evaluation.”

A preliminary report on the crash is expected in about 30 days, while a final report on the probable cause of the crash could take up to two years to complete, Holloway said.

The Nelons were inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2016 and have been winners of 10 GMA Dove Awards, including multiple song of the year and album of the year awards.