Three members of the Grammy-nominated family gospel group the Nelons are dead after a plane crash that also took the lives of four other people.

According to WSB-TV in Atlanta, Kelly Nelon Clark, Amber Nelon Kistler and Jason Clark all died in the crash, which took place at approximately 3PM EST/1PM MT in Wyoming on Friday (July 26) as the group were traveling to the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska for an appearance.

Nathan Kistler and the group’s assistant, Melodi Hodges, also died in the crash, as well as the pilot of the plane, Larry Haynie, and his wife, Melissa.

Gaither Management Group confirmed the news in a statement online:

One of the best loved Gospel music families in America, The Nelons were involved in a tragic, fatal plane crash on Friday afternoon on their way to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska. 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. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident.
Autumn, Jason and Kelly’s youngest daughter, and her husband, Jamie Streetman were not on the plane and arrived safely into Seattle and were notified of the accident. They were brought to the hotel where artists were gathered with Bill and Gloria Gaither to pray, sing and embrace them in their grief, pledging to support them in whatever needs arise.
Autumn and Jamie will return home for now to Kelly’s brother, Todd Nelon and his wife, Rhonda, to begin the hard tasks that lie ahead. Please keep them, the Kistler family, the Haynie family and the family of Melodi Hodges in your prayers.

ABC News reports that the crash also caused a wildfire in the remote region of Wyoming where the plane went down. The plane sent out a distress signal shortly before the crash took place.

The National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating the crash.

Autumn Nelon Streetman also issued a statement via social media, writing:

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. 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.

Sterling Whitaker is a Senior Writer and Senior Editor for Taste of Country. He focuses on celebrity real estate, as well as coverage of Yellowstone and related shows like 1883 and 1923. He’s interviewed cast members including Cole Hauser, Kelly Reilly, Sam Elliott and Harrison Ford, and Whitaker is also known for his in-depth interviews with country legends including Don Henley, Rodney Crowell, Trace Adkins, Ronnie Milsap, Ricky Skaggs and more.