Tragic New Details Reveal the Final Minutes Before Plane Crash That Killed 3 Members of The Nelons

Back in July, The Nelons looked to travel to a Gaither Homecoming Cruise in Alaska as Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark and Amber and Nathan Kistler boarded a plane with their assistant Melodi Hodges. Although taking numerous flights in the past, tragedy struck when the plane crashed, killing all seven people on board, including the pilot Larry Haynie and his wife. While fans of the group took a moment to honor their legacy, new details surrounding the plane crash show what happened. 

USA Today reported the pilot contacted the Salt Lake City Air Route Traffic Control Center after losing autopilot. Declaring an emergency, the controller moved to work with the pilot to safely land. According to the reports, the pilot explained how he was going to try and regain control. But that never happened as the plane crashed near Recluse, Wyoming. 

Witnesses of the crash recalled watching the plane spiral out of control. One person said the plane barrel rolled as the aircraft plunged to the ground. Another witness remembered watching a cloud of smoke rip into the air as it crashed. 

[RELATED: The Last Surviving Member of The Nelons Shares Heartbreaking Details After Losing Parents and Sister in Fatal Plane Crash]

Family Members Thank Fans Of The Nelons For Their Support

While mourning the death of her parents Jason and Kelly, Autumn Nelon Streetman, took a moment to address the tragedy. She wrote, “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 continued, “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.”

With several members of The Nelons passing away, the group recently released her newest album Loving You. While sharing their love for music, the album sadly marked the last time the entire group collaborated inside the studio.

(Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)