7 Fatalities in Pilatus PC-12/47E Plane Crash Near Montana Border on July 26, 2024

Campbell County, Wyoming  — A Pilatus PC-12/47E (2010) 11 seat, single-engine turboprop aircraft, registered as N357HE and owned by Haynie Enterprises Inc. of Henderson, Nevada, tragically crashed in northeast Wyoming on July 26, 2024, resulting in the deaths of all seven individuals on board. The flight had departed from Nebraska and was en route to Billings, Montana, when it went down near the Montana border in northern Campbell County around 1 p.m. MDT.

Details of Flight N357HE

The aircraft had made a fuel stop in Nebraska City, Nebraska, before continuing its journey. The manager of the airfield confirmed that the plane was a regular customer and typically took on about 200 to 300 gallons of fuel per visit. The flight was proceeding normally at an altitude of 26,000 feet when the pilot, Larry Haynie reported an issue with the autopilot system, leading to violent pitching and a rapid descent. The Pilatus PC-12 NG was seen on FR24 spiraling down at over 10,000ft per minute rate of descent.

Impact and Aftermath

The crash site, located about 8 miles south of the Montana border, sparked a wildfire that emergency responders worked to contain. The Campbell County Sheriff’s Office and Fire Department were among the first to respond to the scene. Authorities confirmed that there were no survivors and that the aircraft had broken apart before impact, scattering debris over a wide area.

Crash Investigation Process

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has initiated an investigation into the crash. Preliminary reports indicate that the aircraft experienced an autopilot malfunction during flight. NTSB spokesman Keith Holloway stated that investigators are on-site and will document the scene and examine the wreckage. A preliminary report is expected in about two weeks, with a full investigation potentially taking 12-24 months. The County Sheriff found the plane’s wreckage.

Eyewitness Accounts and Initial Findings on Flight N357HE

Dan Gryder, a seasoned pilot and crash investigator, noted that the aircraft’s erratic movements before the crash suggest a severe autopilot malfunction. Gryder explained that the autopilot system, connected to the elevator pitch trim servo, can significantly affect the plane’s stability, especially at high speeds. He hypothesized that the malfunction could have initiated a domino effect, causing the aircraft to break apart mid-air.

Montana Plane Crash Victims

Among the deceased were prominent members of the Gospel Hall of Fame group The Nelons, including Jason Clark (left), Kelly Nelon Clark (second from right), and Amber Nelon Clark (right) of the musical group The Nelons were among seven people killed in a plane crash in Northern Wyoming. Other victims included Nathan Kistler, Melodi Hodges, Larry, and Melissa Haynie.