A tragic plane crash in northeast Wyoming in July claimed the lives of seven individuals, including three beloved members of the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame quartet, The Nelons. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a preliminary report offering insights into the moments leading up to the devastating incident, focusing on a declared emergency and reported autopilot failure.
According to the NTSB’s preliminary findings, the aircraft departed from a Nebraska airport on July 26th, intending to reach Billings, Montana. However, the flight tragically ended approximately 12 miles (19 kilometers) northeast of Recluse, Wyoming.
During the critical final phase of the flight, the pilot communicated an emergency to the Salt Lake City Air Route Traffic Control Center. In this communication, the pilot reported a loss of autopilot functionality. The air traffic controller promptly responded, inquiring about the pilot’s desired landing location. The report indicates an initial silence followed by the pilot’s response stating he was “trying to get control of the airplane.”
Subsequently, radar and radio contact with the aircraft were lost. This communication breakdown prompted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to issue an alert for the missing plane. Tragically, the aircraft was later discovered crashed in a remote area, as detailed in the NTSB report.
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Eyewitness accounts from the vicinity of the crash site provided further details. One witness reported hearing a distinct “loud whining noise” immediately preceding the impact. Another witness observed the plane “overhead in a ‘barrel roll’ maneuver” and recounted hearing the airplane’s engine “roaring loud” until the moment of impact with the terrain, according to the NTSB report.
Investigators are continuing their work to determine the definitive cause of the crash. A comprehensive final report, delving into potential contributing factors, is anticipated to be released at a later date.
The crash tragically took the lives of several individuals deeply connected to the gospel music community. Among the deceased were Kelly Nelon Clark, a co-founder of The Nelons, along with her husband Jason Clark, and their daughter Amber Nelon Kistler. Amber’s husband, Nathan Kistler, also perished in the accident. Rounding out the list of victims were family friend Melodi Hodges, and Larry and Melissa Haynie. Larry Haynie was identified as the pilot of the aircraft.
The Nelons were en route to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska. Gaither Management Group confirmed this in a statement released shortly after the incident.
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The Nelons hold a revered position in gospel music. They were inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2016, a testament to their lasting impact on the genre. Throughout their illustrious career, The Nelons garnered significant acclaim, winning 10 GMA Dove Awards, including prestigious song of the year and album of the year honors. The loss of these talented individuals is deeply felt within the gospel music community and beyond.
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The NTSB’s final report is eagerly awaited to provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors that contributed to this tragic Nelon Family Plane Crash and to potentially prevent similar incidents in the future. The preliminary report sheds light on the pilot’s actions and the aircraft’s condition in the moments before the crash, but further investigation is needed to fully comprehend the sequence of events.
