The composer Brett James, who is attributed the writing or co-writing of hundreds of songs, including “Jesus, Take The Wheel” by Carrie Underwood, is one of the three people killed in a small plane crash in North Carolina, according to several people close to him.
A Cirrus Sr22T crashed in a field in Franklin, North Carolina, around 3 in the afternoon, Thursday’s local time, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration.
The composer, Brett James acts on stage during the awards of companions of Nashville Nashville in the Ryman Auditorium on September 20, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Terry Wyatt/Getty Images
Three people were aboard the plane when he crashed, the authorities confirmed. No one who was on board survived.
The Macon County Sheriff’s office told Asheville ABC Wlos affiliate that the accident occurred on a property adjacent to IoTla Valley elementary school, but that students and school staff have been reported safely.
For more than 20 years, James, 57, had been mainly known as composer of other country and pop music artists, including Carrie Underwood, whose successful song, “Jesús, Take the Wheel,” won the Grammy Awards for the best country song and the best feminine country vocal performance.
James, who was born in Columbia, Missouri, in 1968, has also written songs for many other artists, including Martina McBride, Kenny Chesney and Jason Aldean.
Three people died, including composer Brett James, in a plane crash in Franklin, NC, on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
Bullet
The authorities say they are still trying to discover what the plane crash caused.
“The FAA and the National Transportation Security Board will investigate,” said the FAA. “The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide more updates.”
