A single-engine plane crash in Gillette, Wyoming, Friday killed all seven people aboard, including three members of a gospel music group called The Nelons.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the 1 p.m. crash. Preliminary reports suggest the plane suffered an issue with its autopilot system, an NTSB spokesperson told the BBC.
The FAA didn’t say where the plane took off or its destination, but the Nelons were flying to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska, the group’s Gaither Music team said in a Facebook post.
The victims were Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, their daughter Amber Nelon Kistler and her husband, Nathan Kistler, their assistant Melodi Hodges, pilot Larry Haynie and his wife, Melissa Haynie, Gaither Music said.
The Nelons were a quartet and part of the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame.
The Clarks’ younger daughter, Autumn Nelon Streetman, the group’s remaining member, and her husband, Jamie Streetman, flew separately into Seattle.
“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,” Ms. Streetman said in a statement.
The group hailed from Atlanta. Mr. Haynie was chairman of the Georgia Department of Corrections board.
“As chairman … and through a career of valued service in public safety, Larry’s impact on our state will not be forgotten. Our entire family is asking everyone to join us in praying for those who have been lost, for their loved ones and communities, and for those throughout the gospel music community who have lost dear friends in this heartbreaking accident,” Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement on social media.
A wildland fire broke out at the site of the plane crash, and suppression efforts continued as of Friday, per a release from Campbell County, Wyoming, officials.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
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