Songwriter Brett James Dies in North Carolina Plane Crash

Quick Facts

Victim: Brett James, 57, Grammy-winning country songwriter
Location: Near Macon County Airport, Franklin, North Carolina
Date: September 18, 2025
Aircraft: Cirrus SR22T single-engine plane
Fatalities: Three (including James, his wife Melody Carole, and stepdaughter Meryl Maxwell Wilson)

Lead Grammy-winning country songwriter Brett James and two family members were killed when their single-engine plane crashed near Macon County Airport in Franklin, North Carolina, Thursday afternoon.

Nut Graf James, best known for penning Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” was en route from Nashville when the Cirrus SR22T went down under unknown circumstances. The accident has drawn industry-wide tributes and prompted an NTSB investigation.

Crash Details and Investigation

The aircraft, registered to James under his legal name Brett Cornelius of Brentwood, Tennessee, departed John C. Tune Airport in Nashville on a private flight lasting approximately one hour. FlightAware data indicate the SR22T performed several low-altitude loops before crashing into a wooded field shortly after 2:56 p.m. local time.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed all three occupants-James, his wife Melody Carole, and stepdaughter Meryl Maxwell Wilson-died at the scene. No ground injuries were reported. The National Transportation Safety Board has opened a formal inquiry, with a preliminary report expected within 30 days.

Career Highlights and Legacy

Brett James co-wrote chart-toppers for country superstars including “When the Sun Goes Down” (Kenny Chesney) and “Cowboy Casanova” (Carrie Underwood). His collaboration on “Jesus, Take the Wheel” earned the 2006 Grammy for Best Country Song and cemented his status as a Nashville hitmaker.

Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020
Penned over 500 recorded songs with combined album sales exceeding 110 million copies
Named ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year in 2006 and 2010

Industry and Fan Tributes

Country artists and peers flooded social media with memories of James’s generosity and craft. Dierks Bentley hailed him as “one of the best songwriters our town has ever known,” while Sara Evans called his passing “devastating” and noted his lasting influence on modern country.

Flight Background and NTSB Action

According to FAA records, the Cirrus SR22T bore the tail number of James’s personal registry. Investigators will examine weather conditions, maintenance logs, and pilot records to determine the cause. The NTSB’s findings will guide potential safety recommendations for private aviation operators.

Reporting by The New York Times and BBC News.