Plane Crash in North Carolina Claims Lives of Country Songwriter and Family

Renowned country songwriter Brett James’ single-engine plane encountered a “tension spiral” before it crashed in North Carolina, resulting in the death of everyone on board, as confirmed by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

The NTSB detailed that James was piloting a private Cirrus SR22T jet when he and his family approached Macon County Airport in Franklin on September 18. He had requested a visual approach to Runway 7.

Shortly after, the pilot communicated that he was at 6,800 feet and intended to make a 360-degree turn for landing. Unfortunately, that was the last communication received, as per the NTSB.

Witnesses close to the crash site reported seeing the plane flying low, appearing to sway side to side above a nearby school playground. Moments before the crash, the aircraft reportedly made a turn just over half a mile from the runway before spiraling downward and hitting the ground approximately 400 meters from the airfield.

Brett James, 57, along with his wife, 59-year-old Melody Carol Wilson, and their stepdaughter, 28-year-old Meryl Maxwell Wilson, perished in the tragic accident. They had just celebrated Meryl’s birthday before the flight.

James was not just a talented songwriter for hits like Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus Take the Wheel” and Kenny Chesney’s “When the Sun Goes Down” but also an inductee into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He had collaborated with music icons including Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, and Martina McBride.