Wyoming, United States

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As per a statement from a group member who was not on the plane, three members of the Nelons, a Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame quartet and the chairman of the board regulating the Georgia Department of Corrections, were among the seven people who died in a plane crash in Wyoming, United States. 

Autumn Nelon Streetman, another daughter of the Nelons, released a statement stating that the crash on Friday (Jul 26) afternoon claimed the lives of Kelly Nelon Clark, the co-founder of the Nelons, her husband Jason Clark, and their daughter. She is the Georgia Quartet's fourth member.

“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,” Streetman said.

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“We appreciate your continued prayers, love and support as we navigate the coming days,” she added.

Nelon Streetman added that her husband, Nathan Kistler, and family friend Melodi Hodges, as well as Larry and Melissa Haynie, died in the crash.

According to a statement from Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Larry Haynie was the chairman of the Georgia Board of Corrections and was honoured for "a career of valued public service."

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“Our entire family is asking everyone to join us in praying for those who have been lost, for their loved ones and communities, and for those throughout the gospel music community who have lost dear friends in this heartbreaking accident,” Kemp said.

The group was supposed to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska, said the Gaither Music Group, which is sponsoring the cruise featuring various gospel artists and groups.

Gaither Music clarified that Hodges served as an assistant for the band, while Larry Haynie piloted the aircraft, and Melissa Haynie was his spouse. The aircraft in question was a single-engine turboprop Pilatus PC-12/47E.

The crash happened around 1:00 pm (local time) in Campbell County, Wyoming, north of Gillette and roughly 250 miles (402 kilometres) north of Cheyenne, according to a statement from Campbell County spokesperson Leslie Perkins.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) spokesperson Keith Holloway, on Saturday, said preliminary information indicated the aircraft crashed after an "auto pilot issue". 

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

The NTSB spokesperson also said that a preliminary crash report should be available within roughly 30 days, but it might take up to two years to finalise the report with the probable cause.

The Nelons were honoured with induction into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2016 and have won 10 GMA Dove Awards, including several for Song of the Year and Album of the Year.

(With inputs from agencies)