GILLETTE, WY – Seven people, including three members of the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame quartet ‘The Nelons’ and the chairman of the board for the Georgia Department of Corrections, tragically passed away in a plane crash on Friday in Wyoming. According to a statement from Autumn Nelon Streetman, a member of the group who was not onboard the aircraft, her parents, Kelly Nelon Clark and Jason Clark, and sister, Amber Nelon Kistler, were among those who perished in the crash.
Nelon Streetman also confirmed the other fatalities as Amber’s husband, Nathan Kistler, a family friend named Melodi Hodges, and Larry and Melissa Haynie. Larry Haynie held the role of chairman for the Georgia Board of Corrections and was recognized for his invaluable public service by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp.
The group was en route to the Gaither Homecoming Cruise in Alaska when the crash happened. Keith Holloway, who serves as a spokesperson for the National Transportation Safety Board, noted that initial information indicates an autopilot malfunction during the flight as the cause of the crash.
A full investigation is underway, and a preliminary report should be available within the next month. Final findings may take up to two years to be finalized.
Founded in 2016, The Nelons were inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame and have won several awards, including multiple song of the year and album of the year awards.