New details have emerged about what caused the 2024 plane crash that claimed the lives of three members of Grammy-nominated gospel group The Nelons and four others.
Kelly Nelon Clark, her husband, Jason Nelon Clark, and their daughter, Amber Nelon Kistler, were among seven people killed when their private plane crashed in Wyoming on July 26, 2024. More than two years later, a final report has shed light on what went wrong.
Cause of The Nelons’ 2024 Plane Crash Revealed
According to WSB-TV Atlanta, citing the National Transportation Safety Board’s final report, the crash was caused by “a combination of weather conditions and the pilot’s distraction.”
The report stated that pilot Larry Haynie became distracted “when the autopilot program disconnected as the plane hit an updraft from convective activity.”
The combination of the weather conditions and distraction ultimately led Haynie to lose control of the aircraft, according to WSB-TV.
Along with Kelly, Jason and Amber, the crash killed Amber’s husband, Nathan Kistler; the group’s assistant, Melodi Hodges; Haynie; and his wife, Melissa Haynie.
Gaither Music announced the deaths shortly after the tragedy and confirmed that Kelly’s younger daughter and fellow Nelons member, Autumn Nelon Streetman, had not been on the plane.
“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,” Gaither Music said at the time. “Please keep them, the Kistler family, the Haynie family and the family of Melodi Hodges in your prayers.”
Autumn also released her own statement following the crash.
“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,” she wrote.
“We appreciate your continued prayers, love and support as we navigate the coming days.”
Autumn Nelon Streetman Has Continued Her Family’s Gospel Music Legacy After Tragic Passing
The Nelons’ story did not end with the 2024 tragedy.
The gospel group dates back to 1977, when it was founded by Autumn’s grandfather and Kelly’s father, Rex Nelon. Kelly later helped carry on the family group’s musical legacy following her father’s death.
Months after the plane crash, Autumn attended the 2025 Grammy Awards, where The Nelons’ final album, “Loving You,” was nominated for best roots gospel album.
Speaking with People and Entertainment Weekly on the red carpet, Autumn described attending the ceremony without her family as “bittersweet.”
“On July 26, I lost my mom, my sister, my stepdad, and two good friends of ours. When you get that call, it’s just a shock. You just never, you never think something like that’s gonna happen to you,” she said.
Autumn also opened up about the responsibility she felt to continue what her family had built.
“Then the question runs through my mind, ‘Why? Why did God leave me here?’ I’m always the quiet one, so for me to have to carry a legacy on is a huge undertaking, but I’m gonna honor and do the best that I can.” I know that my family would be absolutely thrilled and honored to be here tonight, win or lose.”
