In a devastating turn of events, three members of the acclaimed gospel group The Nelons, along with four others, lost their lives in a plane crash near Gillette, Wyoming, on Friday. The group was en route to perform at the Gaither Homecoming Cruise in Alaska when their single-engine Pilatus PC-12/47E went down, claiming the lives of all seven individuals on board.
Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, pillars of the gospel music community, along with their daughter Amber Nelon Kistler and her husband Nathan Kistler, were among those who perished in the crash. The group’s assistant, Melodi Hodges, as well as the pilot, Larry Haynie, and his wife Melissa, also lost their lives in the tragic incident.
The crash occurred around 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 26, near the Wyoming-Montana border. Officials in Campbell County, Wyoming, reported that the plane crash resulted in a wildland fire at the remote crash site. The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the accident to determine its cause.
The Nelons, known for their soul-stirring performances and multiple Dove Awards, were Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame members. Their most recent accolade was the 2021 Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year for “If God Pulled Back the Curtain.”
Ed Leonard, representing Daywind Music Group, expressed the industry’s grief in a statement: “The Daywind Music Group family is devastated by the news of the passing of several members of the Nelons in a plane crash on Friday… In this time of unimaginable grief for these families, we know that our beloved artist and their friends are in the arms of Jesus Christ whom the Nelons spent their entire careers singing about as they spread His Gospel around the world.”
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the gospel music community and beyond. Bill and Gloria Gaither, along with other artists, gathered in Seattle to offer support and prayers for the surviving family members.
Autumn Nelon Streetman, the youngest daughter of Jason and Kelly, who was not on the ill-fated flight, released a heartfelt statement: “As many of you have heard by now, my father and mother, Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, along with my sister, Amber, and brother-in-law, Nathan, as well as our dear friends Melodi Hodges, Larry, and Melissa Haynie, were involved in a tragic plane crash on Friday. Thank you for the prayers that have been extended already to me, my husband, Jamie, and our soon-to-be-born baby boy, as well as Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark. We appreciate your continued prayers, love, and support as we navigate the coming days.”
The plane had departed from West Georgia Regional Airport in Carrollton, Georgia, early Friday morning, making a stop at Nebraska City Municipal Airport before continuing its journey towards Billings, Montana. The crash occurred shortly after the plane’s departure from Nebraska.
As the gospel music community mourns this profound loss, tributes have begun pouring in from fans and fellow musicians alike. The Nelons leave behind a rich legacy of faith-filled music that has touched countless lives over the years.
In the coming days, as investigators work to uncover the cause of this tragic accident, the focus remains on supporting the surviving family members and honoring the memory of those lost. The gospel music world has lost some of its brightest stars, but their impact and the messages they shared through their music will undoubtedly continue to resonate for years to come.
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