The plane lost autopilot functionality and crashed into a remote mountainous area
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published a preliminary report on the July 26th plane crash that killed seven people, including three members of the Southern gospel group The Nelons. The three-page report states that the single-engine turboprop crashed after the pilot declared an emergency due to the loss of the autopilot.
“A review of ADS-B data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) showed that the airplane departed Nebraska City Municipal Airport, Nebraska City, Nebraska, about 1200, and flew on a northwest track with an intended destination of Billings Logan International Airport (BIL), Billings, Montana. The data showed that the airplane climbed to a maximum cruise altitude of about 26,000 ft mean sea level (msl),” the report reads.
“About 1302, the airplane maneuvered to the right of course and climbed to about 27,550 ft msl and performed a 270° right turn. In the first 180° of the turn, the airplane descended to an altitude of about 25,250 ft msl, however, it climbed to about 27,025 ft msl in the last 90° of the turn. Shortly after, the data showed the airplane made a slight left turn before it began a descending 180° right turn. The last data point showed the airplane on a southerly heading, at an altitude of about 21,900 ft msl, and with a groundspeed of 256 knots.
“During the last portion of the flight, the pilot reported to the Salt Lake City Air Route Traffic Control Center controller the loss of the autopilot and declared an emergency. The controller queried the pilot on where he would like to land, however, received no initial response. The pilot then responded that he was trying to get control of the airplane to which the controller advised the pilot to let them know if he required additional assistance. The controller then advised the pilot of the minimum instrument flight rules (IFR) altitude and current altimeter with no further response from the pilot.”
The FAA issued an Alert Notice (ALNOT) for the plane after it lost radio and radar contact. The plane was located by local law enforcement in remote terrain about 12 miles northeast of Recluse, Wyoming.
Several witnesses claim to have heard a “loud whining noise,” the airplane’s engine “roaring loud” and watched the plane complete a “barrel roll” maneuver before seeing smoke emanating from the crash site.
The NTSB’s invitation reveals the plane impacted a mountainous terrain, creating an impact ground disturbance of ten feet in length, 41 feet in width, and six feet in depth, with most of the plane wreckage embedded in the ground. Small fragments of the plane were scattered throughout a 300-foot radius from the main wreckage, which caused a fire to encompass about 40 acres of vegetation. Two sections of the left wing and various fragments of the plane were located along a debris path that extended more than three-quarters of a mile from the main wreckage site.
The NTSB says the plane’s wreckage was moved to a secure facility for further examination.
Killed in the crash were Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, Amber, and Nathan Kistler, and their assistant, Melodi Hodges, along with the pilot, Larry Haynie, and his wife, Melissa who were en route to a Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska. Autumn, Jason and Kelly’s youngest daughter, and her husband, Jamie Streetman were not on the plane and arrived safely in Seattle where they were notified of the incident.
The Altanta-based group began in 1977 as The Rex Nelon Singers but became a trio in 2014 when Amber won Female Vocalist of the Year at the Absolutely Gospel Music Awards. The Nelons have been nominated for Grammys, Dove Awards, Singing News Awards, Christian Voice Awards, and others, and were inducted into the Gospel Music Association (GMA) Hall of Fame in 2016.
