On Wednesday, August 28, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its preliminary findings involving a plane crash that took seven passengers’ lives earlier this summer. The crash occurred on July 26, in which the pilot of a
Pilatus PC-12
lost control while flying over Wyoming. The plane crashed into the landscape, taking the lives of all onboard.
Preliminary findings of the NTSB
The NTSB was on the scene of the incident just after it occurred. Since then, the NTSB has been evaluating all data to release its preliminary findings. The investigation is still ongoing as there is more information to come, and a final report is yet to be released.
Photo: Trevor Howard Jones I Shutterstock.
The NTSP Aviation Investigation Preliminary Report walked through the incident. The Pilatus PC-12, registered as N357HE, initially departed Nebraska City Municipal Airport (KAFK) in Nebraska City, Nebraska, at approximately 12:00 local time. The Pilatus PC-12 headed northwest with the intention of flying to Billings Logan International Airport (BIL) in Billings, Montana. It continued to an altitude of 26,000 feet for the next hour.
However, at around 13:02 local time, N357HE climbed an additional 1,550 feet and turned to the right with the turn heading to about 270 degrees. During this turn the aircraft descended about 2,000 feet before climbing back to an altitude of around 27,000 feet. The aircraft then attempted to turn back around, making a 180-degree turn. At this point, the aircraft had an altitude of about 21,900 feet.
During this second turn, the pilot contacted the local air traffic control tower, which was located in Salt Lake City, and reported that the aircraft had lost its autopilot. The pilot also declared an emergency at this time. The tower attempted to contact the aircraft, to which the pilot eventually responded that he was attempting to gain control of the aircraft. The tower responded by providing altitude and IFR information, but received no response. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) then issued an Alert Notice (ALNOT) for the airplane after it did not receive a response.
Photo: viper-zero | Shutterstock
The aircraft was located by local law enforcement about 12 miles northeast of Recluse, Wyoming, which was a remote area. The resulting plane crash caused a large forest fire surrounding the area. The fire encompassed about 40 acres of the surrounding area. Two segments of the left-wing and other aircraft debris were recovered within the debris path of the accident.
About the incident
The aircraft, N357HE, was a 2010 Pilatus PC-12. It was registered with Haynie Enterprises, which is based in Henderson, Nevada. Onboard the aircraft during the crash were three of the four members of the Nelons. The Nelons are a famous Gospel quarter that was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2016. At the time of the crash, the fourth member of the Nelons, Autumn Nelon Streetman, who was not on the aircraft, confirmed the death to AP News. The three members of the Nelons who perished in the crash include Jason Clark, Kelly Nelon Clark, and Amber Nelon Kistler. The other passenger include Amber Nelon Kistler’s husband, Nathan Kistler, Melodi Hodges, Melissa Haynie, and the pilot, Larry Haynie.