Three members of gospel band The Nelons among 7 killed in Wyoming plane crash

Three members of the Nylons, a popular gospel music group and the chairman of the Georgia Department of Corrections board, 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 the plane.

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

“Thank you for your prayers for me, my husband Jamie and our soon-to-be-born baby, as well as Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark,” said Nealon Streetman. “We appreciate your continued prayers, love and support as we face the days ahead.”

Also among the dead were Nealon Kistler’s husband, Nathan Kistler, family friend Melody Hodges, and Larry and Melissa Haynie, Nealon Streetman said.

There were no survivors.

Larry Haynie was chairman of the Georgia Board of Corrections and was remembered for a “career of valued public service,” according to a permit From Georgia Governor Brian Kemp.

“Our entire family asks everyone to join us in praying for those who have lost loved ones and their communities, and for those in the gospel music community who have lost dear friends in this sad incident,” Kemp said.

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

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

The accident happened 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.

The fire caused by the incident has been contained to less than one square mile and firefighters will remain on scene throughout the day, Campbell County Fire Department Chief Jeff Bender said in a statement Saturday.

National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Keith Holloway said Saturday that preliminary information indicates that the plane crashed after “an autopilot system problem during flight” and that a team of investigators was on the scene.

“The aircraft is in a remote location and once they arrive they will begin documenting the scene and examining the aircraft. The aircraft will then be recovered and transported to a secure facility for further evaluation,” Holloway said.

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

The Nelons were inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2016 and have won 10 GMA Dove Awards, including multiple Song of the Year and Album of the Year awards.