Three members of the gospel trio The Nelons, Kelly Nelon Clark, her husband, Jason Clark, and their daughter Amber Kistler, died in a horrific plane disaster that killed seven people. Autumn Nelon Streetman, Kelly’s other daughter and the fourth member of the family group located in Georgia, verified the tragic news.”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 said.
“Thank you for praying for 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 wrote. According to a statement released by Gaither Music Group and reported by AP News, the group members, along with Nelon Kistler’s husband, Nathan Kistler, family friend Melodi Hodges, and pilot Larry Haynie and his wife Melissa Haynie, were on their way to Alaska for the Gaither Homecoming Cruise when the plane crashed. Neither of the passengers survived.
In 2016, the Nelons were inducted into the Gospel Music Association’s (GMA) Hall of Fame, and they won ten Dove Awards. According to their official website, they have won numerous Song of the Year and album of the Year accolades, including the 2021 GMA Dove Award for Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year for “If God Pulled Back The Curtain.”Before taking what turned out to be a deadly flight, the Nelons uploaded a video to Instagram. Jason began by saying, “Homecoming Alaskan Cruise, we just landed in Nebraska” and then introduced their followers to the pilot and the rest of the crew.
Tributes poured in, and their final video was packed with comments from individuals who were in disbelief after the tragic loss. “They had no idea that none of them would live through this. “Our plans are nothing compared to God’s,” one guy said. “This is like a final farewell,” another said. “Wow! In silence, they prayed for their loved ones. “I am sure their families will keep this video close to their hearts,” a third individual wrote.
According to CNN, the National Transportation Safety Board is currently examining the accident involving a single-engine turboprop Pilatus PC-12/47E. “The aircraft is in a remote location, and once they gain access, they will begin documenting the scene and inspecting the aircraft,” NTSB spokesperson Keith Holloway said in a statement on Saturday. “The aircraft will then be recovered and taken to a secure facility for further evaluation.”We are deeply saddened for this tragic loss. May they rest peacefully.