New Details in the Plane Crash That Killed Country Star Brett James and His Family

Investigators have released startling findings that shed light on the private plane crash in western North Carolina that killed the celebrated country songwriter and two family members.

On the afternoon of September 18, 2025, a private plane went down in the mountains of western North Carolina, claiming the lives of Grammy Award–winning songwriter Brett James, his wife, Melody Carole, and her 28-year-old daughter, Meryl Maxwell Wilson.

Now, federal investigators have issued a preliminary report offering chilling new insight into the accident that ended the life of the man behind some of country music’s most unforgettable hits.

What Happened to the Plane That Day?

The Cirrus SR22T aircraft departed from John C. Tune Airport in Nashville, Tennessee, and was headed toward Macon County Airport. But around 3 p.m., the plane crashed in Franklin, North Carolina, just west of Iotla Valley Elementary School.

At the time, one local resident told FOX, “I thought I heard a commotion or something, but there’s a lot of stuff that goes on around here. I didn’t really pay much attention. Then I heard about the accident and I said, well, that might be maybe the plane that had crashed. Like a loud bang.”

Other witnesses recalled seeing the plane flying dangerously low over the school playground. According to them, it appeared to rock side to side before flipping upside down and vanishing behind a line of trees.

Following the terrifying scene, the Macon County Sheriff’s Office took to Facebook to reassure the public, especially parents of nearby students, that the incident occurred off campus and that no children were harmed.

Unfortunately, everyone on board died. James, best known for penning Carrie Underwood’s Grammy-winning hit “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and Kenny Chesney’s “When the Sun Goes Down,” was traveling with his wife of four years and her daughter from a previous relationship.

What Did the NTSB Discover?

According to preliminary findings from the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot requested a visual landing approach for runway 07 as the plane neared its destination.

Around 2:48 p.m., the pilot told air traffic control that he could see the airport and was given permission to switch to the local traffic frequency.

Moments later, he radioed again, reporting that the plane was at 6,800 feet and that he intended to perform a full 360-degree turn before lining up to land.

This communication should not have been taking place on that frequency. The controller radioed back to point that out, but received no response. No further communication was received.

What Did Data and Surveillance Reveal?

According to ADS-B tracking data, the plane began a descending left turn at 6,300 feet above sea level. It successfully completed the 360-degree turn and was aligned with the runway, descending to 3,300 feet.

But the data cut off just half a nautical mile away from the runway, suggesting something went wrong just before touchdown.

Surveillance video later showed the plane flying over the landing area, then attempting another descending left turn. That second maneuver proved catastrophic, as the aircraft spiraled out of control and crashed.

Investigators confirmed that the aircraft landed right-side up and that all major components were recovered at the scene. The flight control system and engine were both functional, and one propeller blade and hub remained attached.

Flight information shows that James owned the plane, but as of now, officials have not confirmed who was piloting during the final flight.

What is Brett James’ Legacy?

The artist, who was inducted into the Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame in 2020, left behind a legacy few can match. He had four children — three sons and one daughter — with his ex-wife, Sandra Cornelius.

He was a devoted father, as just a few months before the crash, James had posted a photo of his entire family, writing, “Such an amazing Father’s Day!!”

His wife was also dedicated to her daughter. Only two days before the tragedy, Carole shared a birthday tribute for Maxwell on Instagram. Her words now read with heartbreaking weight:

“God has already used you for His Kingdom in so many ways and so much more to come! No words can express what a gift you are to me and everyone that KNOWS YOU❤️😘🎂🎉.”

Over the course of his career, James wrote countless hits for some of the biggest names in the industry.

His credits include Kelly Clarkson’s “Mr. Know It All,” Taylor Swift’s “A Perfectly Good Heart,” Tim McGraw’s “It’s a Business Doing Pleasure with You,” Miranda Lambert’s “Something Bad,” Jason Aldean’s “The Truth,” and many more.