The music world lost one of its greatest songwriters in a horrific plane crash.
New details have emerged about what happened in the final moments.
And country hitmaker Brett James’ final words before the fatal crash were revealed in a report that raises one haunting question.
For more than two decades, Brett James was the songwriter every Nashville star wanted in the room.
He wrote "Jesus, Take the Wheel" for Carrie Underwood. Over 500 of his songs got recorded by country’s biggest names. Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, Jason Aldean – they all came to James when they needed a hit.
Then September 18 happened. James was piloting his Cirrus SR22T near Franklin, North Carolina when the plane went down. He died along with his wife Melody Carole and her daughter Meryl Wilson. All three were killed instantly.
https://x.com/aviationbrk/status/1968923383568998636“>https://x.com/aviationbrk/status/1968923383568998636
The NTSB report reveals James’ final transmission
The National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report detailing the last communications from James before the crash.¹
James departed John C. Tune Airport in Nashville around 12:41 p.m. that afternoon heading for Macon County Airport in Franklin, North Carolina.
At 2:48 p.m., James approached the airport to land, reporting he was at 6,800 feet and "intended to perform a 360° turn to land" on runway 7.¹
Air traffic control received no further transmissions from James after that final message.
The plane began a descending left turn from 6,300 feet and made a full turn before approaching the runway at 3,300 feet.²
Surveillance video captured the aircraft flying over the runway before initiating a descending left turn.
The plane kept descending in that left turn, then entered what investigators called a "tightening spiral" before slamming into the ground.²
What witnesses saw happen next
People near the airport watched the plane flying way too low, right over a school playground.³
The wings were rocking side-to-side, the wingtips moving up and down. Then it rolled completely inverted and dropped behind a tree line.³
The aircraft crashed about a quarter-mile from the runway.
All three people on board were pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash happened on a property neighboring Iotla Valley Elementary School, but students and staff at the school were all reported safe.
No mechanical failure found in preliminary investigation
NTSB investigators examined the wreckage at the crash site and found no signs of engine failure.⁴
The aircraft is being removed for further examination at a facility to determine what caused the fatal spiral.
But the preliminary report raises more questions than it answers.
James held a private pilot certificate and owned the accident aircraft.⁵
Calm winds and clear skies prevailed at the time of the crash, eliminating weather as a factor.⁶
The flight records show James made one circuit in the pattern before the apparent go-around attempt turned deadly.⁶
A devastating loss for Nashville’s songwriting community
James’ career spanned more than two decades as one of Nashville’s most successful songwriters.
He wrote or co-wrote 26 number-one country hits for artists like Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, Jason Aldean, and Rodney Atkins.⁷
James was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020 and named ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year in both 2006 and 2010.⁸
His most famous composition, "Jesus, Take the Wheel," won Grammy Awards for Best Country Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance in 2007.⁹
"Jesus, Take the Wheel" became an anthem of modern country music after Carrie Underwood debuted it at the CMA Awards in 2005.
https://x.com/carrieunderwood/status/1979591860466094412“>https://x.com/carrieunderwood/status/1979591860466094412
"What’s crazy is how many people have that story of driving in a car and almost crashing, or feeling like they were pulled out by an angel," James told The Tennessean in 2020. "I’ve heard that story multiple times, like, ‘I had that happen to me.’ It’s interesting that it really touched a nerve."¹⁰
James’ songwriting credits included "When The Sun Goes Down" by Kenny Chesney & Uncle Kracker, "Cowboy Casanova" by Carrie Underwood, "Out Last Night" by Kenny Chesney, "Summer Nights" by Rascal Flatts, and "I Hold On" by Dierks Bentley.¹¹
Beyond country music, James scored a Top 5 Latin hit with "The One You Love (Todo Mi Amor)" by Paulina Rubio.¹²
The tragic timing makes the loss even more painful
Just days before the crash, James’ stepdaughter Meryl celebrated her 28th birthday on September 16.¹³
Melody Wilson posted a birthday message to her daughter on Instagram two days before the fatal flight.
Months earlier on Father’s Day, James had posted a family photo to Instagram with the caption "Such an amazing Father’s Day!!"¹⁴
In June, he shared a selfie with his wife Melody on the beach with the caption "So much fun with my love in the Bahamas."¹⁴
The country music community mourned the loss of a beloved songwriter and friend.
"I am absolutely devastated at the loss of one of the best writers I’ve ever written with," wrote Sara Evans.¹⁵
"Some things are just unfathomable," Carrie Underwood posted. "The loss of Brett James to his family, friends and our music community is too great to put into words."¹⁶
Dierks Bentley called James "one of the best singer-songwriters in our town….total legend."¹⁶
"I brought a couple of roughy sketched verse ideas of ‘I Hold On’ to Brett after my dad died and he just did his thing," Bentley recalled. "The chorus is all him. When I sing that song live, I’m always thinking of my dad, but I also think about that day we wrote it."¹⁶
The NTSB investigation continues as authorities work to determine what caused an experienced pilot in perfect weather conditions to lose control during a routine landing.
That’s the haunting question that may take months to answer.
¹ Christina Dugan Ramirez, "Country music hitmaker Brett James’ final radio transmission before fatal plane crash revealed in new report," Fox News, October 20, 2025.
² Ibid.
³ Ibid.
⁴ Ibid.
⁵ "Grammy winner Brett James dies in Cirrus SR22T accident," AOPA, September 19, 2025.
⁶ Ibid.
⁷ "Songwriter Brett James’s Top Billboard Hot Country Songs Hits," Billboard, September 19, 2025.
⁸ "In Memoriam: Brett James, ASCAP Songwriter and Advocate," ASCAP, September 2025.
⁹ "4 of Brett James’ Most Influential Hits as a Songwriter That We All Know and Love," American Songwriter, September 19, 2025.
¹⁰ "Brett James, Grammy-winning ‘Jesus, Take the Wheel’ songwriter, dies in North Carolina plane crash," CNN, September 19, 2025.
¹¹ "Brett James, Grammy-Award Winning Songwriter, Dies In Plane Crash," Billboard, September 19, 2025.
¹² "Brett James," Nashville Songwriters Foundation.
¹³ "Brett James’ wife, stepdaughter identified as other victims in North Carolina plane crash," FOX 17 News, September 19, 2025.
¹⁴ Ramirez, Fox News.
¹⁵ CNN, September 19, 2025.
¹⁶ "Songwriter Brett James’s Top Billboard Hot Country Songs Hits," Billboard, September 19, 2025.
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