Three members of the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame quartet The Nelons were among the seven people killed in a plane crash in Wyoming, according to a statement from members of the group who were not on the plane.
Nelon’s co-founder Kelly Nelon Clark, her husband Jason Clark and daughter Amber Nelon Kistler died in the accident Friday afternoon, according to a statement from their daughter, Autumn Nelon Streetman.
“I want to thank you for the prayers that have already been offered to me, my husband, Jamie, our soon-to-be son, and Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark,” Nelon Streetman said. “We appreciate your continued prayers, love and support as we get through the days ahead.”
Nelon Streetman said those killed in the crash were Nelon Kistler’s husband, Nathan Kistler, family friend Melody Hodges, and Larry and Melissa Haney.
There were no survivors.
The group was traveling to take part in the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska, according to a statement from Gaither Music Group, sponsor of the cruise which features numerous gospel singers and groups.
According to Gaither Music, Hodges was the band’s assistant. Larry Haney was the pilot of the plane, and Melissa Haney was his wife. The plane has been identified as a Pilatus PC-12/47E, a single-engine turboprop aircraft.
The accident happened around 1 p.m. local time north of Gillette in Campbell County, Wyoming, about 250 miles (402 kilometers) north of Cheyenne, according to a statement from Campbell County spokeswoman Leslie Perkins.
National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Keith Holloway said Saturday that an investigation team was expected to arrive at the scene later Saturday.
“The aircraft is in a secluded area and once we are in close proximity to the site we will begin documenting the scene and examining the aircraft,” Holloway said. “The aircraft will then be recovered and taken to a secure facility for further examination.”
Holloway said a preliminary report on the crash is expected to be released within about 30 days, but a final report estimating what caused the crash could take up to two years to complete.
Nelons was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2016 and is a 10-time GMA Dove Award winner, including multiple wins for Song of the Year and Album of the Year.
