In a heartbreaking event, a plane crash in Wyoming on Friday afternoon claimed the lives of seven people, including three members of the renowned Atlanta-based gospel group, The Nelons, and a Georgia Corrections official.
The Gaither Management Group shared a statement on Autumn Nelon Streetman’s Instagram account, revealing the tragic loss of her mother, Kelly Nelon Clark; her father, Jason Clark; and her older sister, Amber Kistler. Also among the victims were Amber’s husband, Nathan Kistler; their assistant, Melodi Hodges; and the pilot, Larry Haynie, along with his wife, Melissa.
The crash, which occurred at 1 p.m., is currently under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Preliminary findings suggest an issue with the plane’s autopilot system may have been a factor, an NTSB spokesperson informed the BBC.
Details about the plane’s departure and intended destination have not been disclosed, but according to a Facebook post by the Gaither Music team, The Nelons were en route to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska.
In the statement, it was confirmed that Autumn Nelon Streetman, the fourth member of The Nelons, and her husband, Jaimie Streetman, had landed safely in Seattle when they received news of the tragedy.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp acknowledged the loss in a post on X, confirming that Larry Haynie was the chairman of the Georgia Department of Corrections Board. “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,” Kemp said in his statement.
The crash took place in Campbell County, Wyoming, north of Gillette and approximately 250 miles north of Cheyenne, according to a statement from Campbell County spokesperson Leslie Perkins. NTSB spokesperson Keith Holloway indicated on Saturday that preliminary information pointed to an “autopilot issue” as a possible cause of the crash.
