The management of the Nylons, one of the biggest gospel bands, confirmed that three of the four members were killed in a plane crash in Wyoming on Friday afternoon.
Gaither Management Group confirmed in a statement that Jason and Kelly Nealon Clark and their daughter Amber were killed in a “tragic and fatal” plane crash while en route to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska. The trip was scheduled to start in Seattle.
Four other people were killed in the crash, including the plane’s pilot, Larry Haynie, and his wife, Melissa, along with Amber’s husband, Nathan Kistler, and her co-pilot, Melody Hodges.
Kelly Nealon Clark, Amber Nealon Thompson, Autumn Nealon Clark, and Jason Clark of The Nelons attend the 52nd GMA Dove Awards at Lipscomb Allen Arena on October 19, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Jason Kempin/Getty Images
Hours before the incident, the group posted a video in front of a plane during a stop in Nebraska, saying they were about to have a meal and then fly to Montana.
“We’re on our way,” Jason says in the video, which eventually shows all the victims, including pilot Haynie. The group appears to be in good spirits as they document their flight path and introduce their “wonderful pilot.”
“We’ll check that out later,” Jason adds at the end of the video.
Details about what led to the crash are scarce. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident, telling The Daily Beast, “The investigation is still in its early stages and not much information is available at this time.” However, it did not confirm the identities or numbers of victims, citing local authorities.
According to Campbell County Public Information Officer Leslie Perkins, emergency responders responded to a “report of a plane crash north of Gillette” at approximately 1 p.m.
The National Transportation Safety Board said a team was on the scene and that the plane, a single-engine Pilatus PC-12/47E turboprop, “impacted terrain” at 1:04 p.m., though an NTSB spokesman said that information could change. They said the plane was at a “remote location,” but they expected to begin documenting the scene and examining the aircraft. “The aircraft will then be recovered and transported to a secure facility for further evaluation,” the NTSB spokesman said. A preliminary report is not expected for at least 30 days. The NTSB said it is gathering recordings of any air traffic control communications, radar data and weather reports as part of its investigation.
The debris sparked a massive wildfire that firefighters were still battling Friday evening.
The fourth survivor, Autumn, Jason and Kelly’s youngest daughter, was not on the plane. She and her husband, Jamie Streetman, were waiting for family in Seattle when they received the bad news.
“They were taken to the hotel where the artists gathered with Bill and Gloria Gaither to pray, sing, and embrace them in their grief, pledging to support them in whatever needs arose,” the management said.
The couple returned to the home of Kelly’s brother, Todd Nealon, and his wife, Rhonda, “to begin the difficult tasks ahead of them.” The department added: “Please keep them, the Kessler family, the Haynie family, and the Melody Hodges family in your prayers.”
In a short statement, Autumn thanked fans for their “prayers for me, my husband Jamie, and our soon-to-be-born baby, as well as Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark. We appreciate your continued prayers, love and support as we face the days ahead.”
Airman Hayne was chairman of the Georgia Department of Corrections Board of Directors and was remembered in a tribute publication by the Department of Corrections on X.
“We as individuals and as an agency are deeply saddened by this loss,” the statement read. “Larry and Lisa were not only devoted to each other, their grandchildren and their family, but they were also loyal and strong supporters of the GDC family. Please take a moment today and in the coming days to pray for peace and comfort for their family and the families of others we have lost as we all deal with this tragedy.”
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp also paid tribute to Haney and “all those who lost their lives in this horrific plane crash.”
“As chairman of the Georgia Board of Corrections and through a career of valuable service in public safety, Larry’s impact on our state will not be forgotten,” he said in a statement. statement “We will continue to hold his memory and his enduring commitment to his fellow Georgians in our hearts and memories.”
“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 tragic incident,” Kemp added.
The Nelons have an impressive resume, having recorded 35 albums and more than 20 Top 5 Southern Gospel radio singles. The band was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2016 and has been nominated for three Grammy Awards, according to Personal Biography On their website. Most recently, they won the GMAs Country/Bluegrass/Roots Record of the Year award for “If God Pulled Back The Curtain.” In total, they have won ten GMA Dove Awards, including multiple Song of the Year and Album of the Year awards.
The band was founded by Kelly’s father, Rex Nealon, in the 1970s.
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