A tragic plane crash in northeast Wyoming claimed the lives of seven people, including three members of the renowned Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame quartet The Nelons. The incident occurred on July 26 when the plane, en route from Nebraska to Billings, Montana, crashed about 12 miles northeast of Recluse, Wyoming.
According to a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot declared an emergency and reported the loss of autopilot shortly before the crash. The pilot had communicated with the Salt Lake City Air Route Traffic Control Center, indicating the need to land due to the autopilot malfunction. However, contact was lost before any further instructions could be given.
