Fatal Single-Engine Aircraft Crash Near Gillette, Wyoming (N357HE)

Incident Overview and Flight Details A single-engine aircraft departed from Nebraska City Airport on a flight destined for Billings. The aircraft was carrying six passengers and one pilot at the time of the incident. During the flight, the aircraft was cruising at Flight Level 260 (FL260) when the pilot communicated with air traffic control (ATC) that he was losing control of the aircraft. The loss of control resulted in the aircraft entering a dive. The aircraft subsequently crashed in a dense wooded area located approximately 50 kilometers north of the Northeast Wyoming Regional Airport, which is situated near Gillette. The impact caused the aircraft to disintegrate upon impact. All seven occupants on board were killed in the crash. Among the fatalities were three members of the Southern Gospel band known as 'The Nelons'.