All those on board a plane carrying the Nelons, a well-known and beloved gospel family in the US, perished in the disaster.
The horrific catastrophe claimed the lives of seven individuals, including Grammy nominees Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, their daughter Amber Nelon Kistler, and two other family members.
Nathan Kistler, Amber’s spouse, Melodi Hodges, a family employee, and pilot Larry Haynie and his spouse Melissa were all slain.
Autumn Nelon Streetman from Season 4 of The Nelon wasn’t on the aircraft at the moment.
The band was leaving for Alaska on Friday to take part in the Gaither Homecoming Cruise. However, their jet crashed over Wyoming, and as it hit the ground, it ignited a massive forest fire.
Before they boarded the aircraft that would crash, a video captured Jason grinning and chatting with his family on a Nebraskan airfield.
The eerie footage was captured as the crew stopped for fuel at around noon, and the jet visible in the background is believed to belong to pilot Larry.
Five of the seven passengers are seen joking and laughing about the upcoming journey.
Firefighters and other emergency personnel raced to the scene as a wildfire broke out after it was reported that the plane crashed into the ground in flames.
The Wyoming sheriff’s office reports that nobody made it out alive.
“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 Melodi Hodges, Larry, and Melissa Haynie, were in a terrible plane crash on Friday,” Autumn Nelon Streetman stated in a statement regarding the tragedy.
I appreciate all of the prayers that have already been said for me, my spouse Jamie, our unborn child, and Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark.
Your love, prayers, and support will be of great assistance to us over the next few days. I’m grateful.
According to FlightAware.com, the aircraft was a Pilatus PC-12/47E that belonged to Haynie Enterprises.
The National Transportation Safety Board will commence an investigation into the tragedy.
The Nelons were admitted into the Hall of Fame of the Gospel Music Association in 2016. They are regarded as one of the most significant families in the history of American gospel music.
Among their most well-known songs are I Shall Not Be Moved, Come Morning, and We Shall Wear a Robe and Crown.
Over their history, they have received three Grammy nominations as well.