Three members of the award-winning southern gospel group The Nelons were among those killed in a plane crash Friday in Wyoming as they traveled to a cruise in Alaska, Gaither Music announced in a statement. A total of seven people perished in the crash, including family members, their assistant, the pilot and his wife.
Killed in the plane crash were husband and wife Jason Clark and Kelly Nelon Clark, their daughter Amber Kistler and her husband Nathan Kistler, their assistant Melodi Hodges, and pilot Larry Haynie and his wife, Melissa. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the accident.
They were traveling to the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska.
Jason Clark, Kelly Nelon Clark, and Amber Kistler were three of the four members of The Nelons, who have won three GMA Dove Awards and received multiple Grammy nominations.
Autumn Nelon Streetman, Jason and Kelly’s youngest daughter, and her husband, Jamie Streetman, were not on the plane and arrived safely in Seattle
The following is the statement from Gaither Music:
A STATEMENT FROM GAITHER MANAGEMENT GROUP:
One of the best loved Gospel music families in America, The Nelons were involved in a tragic, fatal plane crash on Friday afternoon on their way to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska. Killed in the crash were Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, Amber and Nathan Kistler and their assistant, Melodi Hodges, along with the pilot, Larry Haynie and his wife, Melissa. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident.
Autumn, Jason and Kelly’s youngest daughter, and her husband, Jamie Streetman were not on the plane and arrived safely into Seattle and were notified of the accident. They were brought to the hotel where artists were gathered with Bill and Gloria Gaither to pray, sing and embrace them in their grief, pledging to support them in whatever needs arise.
Autumn and Jamie will return home for now to Kelly’s brother, Todd Nelon and his wife, Rhonda, to begin the hard tasks that lie ahead. Please keep them, the Kistler family, the Haynie family and the family of Melodi Hodges in your prayers.
A STATEMENT FROM AUTUMN NELON STREETMAN
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.
Autumn Nelon Streetman