Three members of the gospel group The Nelons, Kelly Nelon Clark, her husband, Jason Clark, and their daughter Amber Kistler were killed in a tragic airplane crash that claimed the lives of seven people.
The devastating news was confirmed by Kelly’s other daughter and fourth member of the Georgia-based family group, 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,” Autumn wrote.
“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,” she concluded her post.
According to a statement by Gaither Music Group, as reported by AP News, the members of the group, along with Nelon Kistler’s husband, Nathan Kistler, family friend Melodi Hodges, and pilot Larry Haynie and his wife Melissa Haynie, were traveling to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska when the plane crashed. None of the passengers survived.
The Nelons were inducted into the Gospel Music Association (GMA) Hall of Fame in 2016 and were winners of 10 Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards. They have also earned multiple song of the year and album of the year awards, as per their official website, including the 2021 GMA Dove Award for Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year for their song If God Pulled Back The Curtain.
Before they took what turned out to be a fatal flight, the The Nelons posted a video on Instagram. At the beginning of it, Jason announced, “Homecoming Alaskan Cruise, we just landed in Nebraska” and went on to introduce their fans to the pilot and the rest of the crew.
Tributes came pouring in, and their final video was filled with comments of people left in disbelief because of the tragic loss.
“Little did they know none of them would survive this. Our plans are nothing compared to God’s,” one person commented. “This is like a final farewell,” another added. “Wow! No words…😢 praying for their families and friends. I am sure this video will be one their families keep close to their hearts,” a third person wrote.
As of now, the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident, which involved a single engine turboprop Pilatus PC-12/47E, according to CNN. “The aircraft is in a remote location and once they gain access, they will begin documenting the scene, examining the aircraft,” NTSB spokesperson Keith Holloway said in a statement Saturday. “The aircraft will then be recovered and taken to a secure facility for further evaluation.”
We are so very sorry for this devastating loss. May they rest in peace.