Three Die in Plane Crash Near Franklin, N.C.
FRANKLIN, N.C. (WZTV) — Three individuals, including Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James, died in a small-engine plane crash on Thursday, September 18, around 3 p.m. local time. The crash involved a Cirrus SR22T registered to James, which went down in a field west of Iotla Valley Elementary School after departing from Nashville at 12:41 p.m. CST.
Authorities reported that students and staff at the school were unharmed. The FAA confirmed the crash, stating it would be investigated alongside the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which will oversee the investigation and provide updates.
Brett James, 57, was known for over 800 songs recorded by prominent artists such as Tim McGraw and Carrie Underwood, including the hit “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020.
The N.C. Highway Patrol is assisting in the investigation, with the FAA leading the response. Further details will be released as the investigation unfolds.