NTSB reveals cause of plane crash that killed members of The Nelons

Just over two years after a plane crash killed seven people, including members of southern gospel group The Nelons, officials have announced that poor weather and an autopilot failure caused the pilot to lose control of the aircraft.

The crash happened in northeastern Wyoming on July 26, 2024, killing seven people, according to a report the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released on Aug. 26.

An updraft of air caused by storm activity, clouds and low visibility led the plane’s autopilot mode to disconnect. The pilot was distracted by the autopilot disconnecting and lost control of the plane, the agency said in its report.

The plane had set out on a cross-country flight to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska, an event for label Gaither Music, which the group had worked with previously.

The plane was set to stop and refuel in Montana, the report says.

Gaither Music and the Nelon family, in a statement after the crash, confirmed that among those killed were:

“One of the best loved Gospel music families in America, The Nelons were involved in a tragic, fatal plane crash,” the music label said. “The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident.”

Here’s what…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/entertainment/