CHEYENNE, Wyo. — A tragic plane crash in northeast Wyoming this past July resulted in the loss of seven lives, including three members of the renowned Gospel music group The Nelons. Preliminary findings from the National Transportation Safety Board revealed that the pilot declared an emergency and experienced autopilot failure moments before the aircraft’s descent.
The incident occurred on July 26, shortly after the plane took off from a Nebraska airport, en route to Billings, Montana. Approximately 12 miles northeast of Recluse, Wyoming, the aircraft went down. In the flight’s final moments, the pilot communicated the emergency to the Salt Lake City Air Route Traffic Control Center, providing limited response as the situation escalated.
Once contact with the aircraft was lost, the Federal Aviation Administration issued an alert. A subsequent investigation located the plane in a remote area. Witnesses reported hearing a loud noise just before the crash, with one describing the aircraft performing a “barrel roll” maneuver as they noted the engine’s roar before the impact.
The final report detailing the causes of this devastating incident is forthcoming. Among the deceased were Kelly Nelon Clark, her husband Jason, and their daughter Amber Nelon Kistler, as well as family friend Melodi Hodges, Nathan Kistler, and Larry and Melissa Haynie.
The Nelons had planned to participate in the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska at the time of the incident. Since their induction into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2016, they have been celebrated with 10 GMA Dove Awards, including accolades for both song and album of the year.
