In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the Nelons, a cherished gospel family, have been devastated by a tragic plane crash. The only surviving member, Autumn Nelon Streetman, has shared a touching statement about the loss.
A plane carrying seven members of the Nelons crashed, killing everyone on board. The victims included Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, their daughter Amber, and Amber’s husband, Nathan Kistler. Also among those who perished were Melanie Hodges, a beloved family friend, and Larry Haynie, the pilot, along with his wife, Melissa. The plane went down over Wyoming while they were traveling to Alaska for the Gaither Homecoming Cruise.
Witnesses reported that the plane burst into flames upon impact, sparking a wildfire at the crash site. Firefighters and emergency workers rushed to the scene, but sadly, there were no survivors, as confirmed by the Wyoming sheriff’s office.
Autumn, who was not on the flight, expressed her grief in a statement: “As many of you know by now, my parents, Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, along with my sister Amber, brother-in-law Nathan, and our dear friends Melanie Hodges, Larry, and Melissa Haynie, were in a terrible plane crash on Friday.”
She also thanked everyone for their support: “Thank you for the prayers that have already been said for me, my husband Jamie, our soon-to-be-born son, and Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark. Your prayers, love, and support will help us get through the next few days. Thank you.”
A video taken just before the fateful flight shows Jason and his family smiling and chatting with the pilot on a Nebraska runway, full of excitement for their journey.
The aircraft involved was a Pilatus PC-12/47E, owned by Haynie Enterprises. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate the crash to uncover what went wrong.
The Nelons were inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2016, recognized as one of the most influential gospel families in American history.
Their popular songs include “I Shall Not Be Moved,” “Come Morning,” and “We Shall Wear a Robe and Crown.” They also earned three Grammy nominations during their celebrated career.
