A plane crash that killed three members of gospel group The Nelons and four others may have been caused by an equipment malfunction.
The Pilatus PC-12/47E single-engine turboprop plane reported an “autopilot problem during flight” before crashing Friday afternoon in northeastern Wyoming.
Beloved members of The Nelons, Kelly Nelon Clark, Jason Clark and Amber Nelon Kistler, were killed on board, along with four others.
Pilot and accident investigator Dan Gryder suggested that such extreme movements at 300 mph could have caused the plane to crash in mid-air.
“It’s like when you reach out your hand going down the road,” Gryder told Cowboy State Daily. “It forces your hand up with a lot of force.”
The force of the plane could have triggered a “domino effect” with parts of the plane breaking apart while it was still in flight, Gryder said, leaving passengers to endure every minute of the violent descent until impact.
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Once the plane starts to break apart, “it’s over,” he told the outlet, explaining that it’s impossible to reverse the crash at that point.
The impact is believed to have occurred after two violent minutes, during which he believes everyone on board could have been alive until the crash.
The victims included Kelly Nelon Clark, Jason Clark and Amber Nelon Kistler of The Nelons, as well as Nathan Kistler, Melodi Hodges and Larry and Melissa Haynie.
The plane reported an equipment malfunction common to known aircraft models, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) spokesman Keith Holloway told the outlet.
Flight data indicates the plane experienced violent pitching movements before falling from an altitude of 26,000 feet.
The plane, which had taken off from Nebraska and was headed to Billings, Montana, crashed near the Montana border in northern Campbell County.
Local law enforcement reported finding debris scattered over a wide area, supporting the theory of a mid-air breakup.
The crash also sparked a major fire due to the plane’s fuel load, which local firefighters battled from the air and on the ground.
The NTSB is expected to share a preliminary report in about two weeks after an investigation.
“The aircraft is in a remote location and once investigators gain access to the scene, they will begin documenting the scene and examining the aircraft,” Holloway said Saturday. “The aircraft will then be recovered and taken to a secure facility for further evaluation.”
This weekend, devastating footage taken by singer Jason Nelon Clark showed six of the seven victims laughing among themselves hours before the tragic accident.
Jason, Kelly and Amber smiled in the post, captioned “Gaither Alaskan Cruise Travel Vlog.”
In the footage, Melodi, Larry and Melissa appeared eager to board their flight.
Amber’s husband Nathan, who was also on board the plane at the time of the crash, was not seen in the clip.
In the video, Jason said, “Gaither Homecoming Alaskan Cruise, we’re on our way. We just landed in Nebraska.”
Kelly laughed before the camera panned back to show their pilot.
Jason joked, “There’s our wonderful pilot. That’s the guy right there.”
The clip ended with the spirited group declaring that they were heading to Nebraska City before heading to Montana for a second leg.
The fourth member, Autumn, who was not on the plane, released a statement Saturday to announce the tragedy.
She wrote: “As many of you have heard, my mother and father, Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, along with my sister, Amber, and brother-in-law, Nathan, along with our dear friends Melodi Hodges, Larry and Melissa Haynie, were involved in a tragic plane crash on Friday.
“Thank you for the prayers that have already been extended to me, my husband Jamie and our future baby boy, as well as Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark. We appreciate your continued prayers, love and support as we navigate the days ahead.”
A statement from Gaither Management Group added: “One of America’s most beloved gospel music families, The Nelons, was involved in a tragic and fatal plane crash Friday afternoon while en route to Gaither’s return cruise to Alaska.
“Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, Amber and Nathan Kistler and their assistant Melodi Hodges, and pilot Larry Haynie and his wife Melissa were killed in the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.
“Jason and Kelly’s youngest daughter, Autumn, and her husband, Jamie Streetman, were not on the plane and arrived safely in Seattle and were notified of the crash.
“They were brought to the hotel where the artists were gathered with Bill and Gloria Gaither to pray, sing and embrace them in their grief, pledging to support them in whatever needs might arise.
“Autumn and Jamie will be returning home for now to be with Kelly’s brother, Todd Nelon and his wife, Rhonda, to begin the difficult tasks ahead. Please keep them, the Kistler family, the Haynie family and the family of Melodi Hodges in your prayers.”