Final moments of family gospel group The Nelons before plane crash leave Internet emotional
GILLETTE, WYOMING: Three members of the Georgia-based family gospel group 'The Nelons' and four others were killed in a plane crash in northeast Wyoming on Friday afternoon, July 26.
The single-engine Pilatus PC-12/47E turboprop airplane reportedly experienced an 'autopilot issue during flight' which may have contributed to the tragic incident.
Who were 'The Nelons' members killed in the plane crash?
Among the victims were Kelly Nelon Clark, Jason Clark, and Amber Nelon Kistler of The Nelons, along with Nathan Kistler, Melodi Hodges, and Larry and Melissa Haynie.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) spokesman Keith Holloway, the equipment malfunction was a known issue with that model of aircraft.
The aircraft experienced violent pitching up and down before it plummeted from an altitude of 26,000 feet, as per flight data, reported Daily Mail.
'The Nelons' plane crash victims' final moments captured
In the devastating video posted before the flight, Jason, Kelly, and Amber appeared smiling and high-spirited capturing their final moments.
The post captioned 'Gaither Alaskan Cruise Travel Vlog' showed the group excitedly preparing for their journey.
In the clip captured, Jason said, "Gaither Homecoming Alaskan Cruise, we are on our way. We just landed in Nebraska," while Kelly laughed.
"There's our wonderful pilot. This is the dude right there," said Jason as the camera turned around to show their pilot.
The video concluded with the group revealing they were traveling to Nebraska City before their second stop in Montana.
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'The Nelons' member Autumn Nelon Clark releases statement after tragedy
Announcing the tragedy, Autumn Nelon Clark, fourth member of 'The Nelons' who was not on the plane released a statement on Saturday, July 27.
"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," she wrote.
"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," she added.
Internet mourns the death of 'The Nelons' members
Shocked by the news of 'The Nelons' members killed in a plane crash in Wyoming, netizens mourned the death of the beloved gospel group members.
Social media users who have watched the final moments of the group posted on their official page are now grieving their deaths.
"So hard to watch this now," a user commented while another user wrote, "Absolutely heartbreaking. What a gift their music has been and will continue to be."
"These people have no idea their fate. It’s always so difficult to see pictures and videos of people shortly before they pass. My condolences to the families," someone commented.
"So sad there daughter Autumn is expecting a baby boy in December they would of be grandparents and sister would of been a aunt," a netizen remarked.
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
