Nebraska City was last stop for plane that crashed in Wyoming
NEBRASKA CITY – The seven people who were killed in a plane crash in Wyoming, including three members of the gospel group The Nelons, had stopped at the Nebraska City Airport for refueling.
Airport Manager Kyle Gress said the PC 12 that crashed north of Gillette, Wyo., landed at Nebraska City from Georgia on its way to Billings, Mont. The plane refueled with 200 to 300 gallons and Gress said its seven occupants spent time together at the airport before departing.
The rural airport regularly serves as a fueling stop for turboprop and corporate jets and Gress said the Nelons and pilot Larry Haynie were loyal customers to the Nebraska City Airport.
The National Transportation Safety Board said preliminary information indicates the plane crashed following an “auto-pilot issue during flight.” The plane was cruising at 26,000 feet when the auto-pilot problem was reported.
The Nelons were inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2016 and were described as one the best loved gospel music families in America.
Gress describes the Nelons, Haynie and his wife Melissa as “super, super-great people who often refueled at Nebraska City."
Victims include Kelly Nelon Clark, cofounder of the group, and her husband, and band member Jason Clark. Their daughter Amber Nelon Kistler, also a member of the group, was killed with her husband Nathan Kistler. Melodi Hodges, identified as a family friend, was the seventh victim.
The Gaither Music Group said the group’s final destination was Seattle, where they were to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska.