Autumn Nelon Streetman, the surviving daughter of the renowned gospel group The Nelons, has issued a heartfelt statement following a devastating plane crash that claimed the lives of her father, mother, and sister.
Three members of The Nelons - a three-time Grammy-nominated family group celebrated for their contributions to gospel music - were traveling to Alaska on Friday for the Gaither Homecoming Cruise when their Pilatus PC-12/47E aircraft, owned by pilot Larry Haynie, went down over Wyoming.
The crash ignited a massive wildfire upon impact, leaving no survivors according to the Wyoming sheriff’s office.
As well as three members of the group, the tragic accident also resulted in the deaths of four other individuals associated with the family.
The crash claimed the lives of Jason Nelon Clark, Kelly Nelon Clark, and their daughter Amber Nelon Kistler. Amber’s husband, Nathan Kistler, the family’s assistant Melodi Hodges, and pilot Larry Haynie and his wife, Melissa, were also killed.
Surviving group member Autumn Nelon Streetman - who was not on the flight due to her pregnancy with a baby boy - has since taken to social media to express her profound grief in a statement.
She said: "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."
The Gospel group's management company, Gaither Management Group, has also issued a statement, reading: "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."
The group was heading to Alaska for the Gaither Homecoming Cruise when their plane crashed after departing from a refueling stop in Nebraska. A video taken just before the ill-fated flight shows Jason Nelon Clark and his family members smiling and interacting on the runway, with the jet visible in the background. The footage, posted under the caption “Gaither Alaskan Cruise Travel Vlog,” also features Melodi, Larry, and Melissa.
Following the refueling stop in Nebraska City, the group went out for a meal before returning to board the plane. Nathan Kistler’s exact location at the time of the video is unclear.
The aircraft, a Pilatus PC-12/47E registered to Haynie Enterprises, was reported to have caught fire upon impact. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is set to investigate the crash.
The Nelons, inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2016, are celebrated for their iconic gospel songs such as 'I Shall Not Be Moved', 'Come Morning', and 'We Shall Wear a Robe and Crown'.
Their career has also earned them three Grammy nominations.
Our thoughts continue to go out to the familes and loved ones of all involved in the tragedy.
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