A preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reveals the chilling final moments of the July 26 plane crash that claimed the lives of seven, including members of the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame quartet, The Nelons.
On a fateful July afternoon, a single-engine Pilatus PC-12/47E turboprop airplane carrying The Nelons and their entourage embarked on a journey to Alaska for the Gaither Homecoming Cruise. However, tragedy struck mid-flight, leaving the nation in mourning and prompting an investigation into the cause of the fatal crash.
Nearly a month later, the NTSB released a preliminary report detailing the harrowing events that unfolded in the final moments of the ill-fated flight. The report pieced together a timeline based on witness accounts and data gathered from the wreckage.
The Tragic Flight of The Nelons: Preliminary Report Sheds Light on Fatal Crash
As the plane approached Salt Lake City airspace, the pilot, identified as Larry Haynie, declared an emergency, reporting a loss of autopilot and expressing his struggle to regain control of the aircraft. The plane veered off course, descending rapidly.
Witnesses near the crash site described hearing a series of loud noises. One witness reported a "loud whining noise" that diminished and then increased, followed by smoke emanating from the area. Another witness observed the airplane performing a "barrel roll" maneuver while its engine roared loudly.
The Tragic Flight of The Nelons: Preliminary Report Sheds Light on Fatal Crash
Moments later, the plane impacted the ground, sending debris scattered across the desolate landscape of Wyoming. Six of the seven passengers and Haynie's wife, Melissa, perished in the crash. The sole survivor, Amber Nelon Kistler's husband, Nathan, was critically injured but passed away later.
The preliminary report painted a chilling picture of the potential terror experienced by the passengers in their final moments. Dr. Alan Diehl, a former NTSB, FAA, and U.S. Air Force crash investigator, described it as "dark terror," akin to the psychological torment suffered by John F. Kennedy Jr. in his fatal plane crash.
The Tragic Flight of The Nelons: Preliminary Report Sheds Light on Fatal Crash
The report noted that the plane may have lost pressurization, leading to unconsciousness or semi-consciousness among the passengers in the last moments. However, the exact cause of the crash remains unknown.
The NTSB emphasized that the preliminary report is subject to change and a final determination of the probable cause of the crash could take up to two years. In the meantime, the investigation continues, seeking answers to the questions that haunt the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic event.
As the nation mourns the loss of The Nelons and their companions, the preliminary report serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment. The final report, when released, will hopefully provide closure and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
