Chilling New Details Revealed in the North Carolina Plane Crash That Killed Grammy-Winning Songwriter Brett James
The music world is still reeling from the heartbreaking loss of Brett James, the Grammy-winning songwriter who died in a tragic plane crash in North Carolina last month. Now, newly released details from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are shedding light on the final moments before the crash that claimed the lives of James, his wife, and her daughter.
According to official reports, the crash occurred on September 18, 2025, near Franklin, North Carolina. James, 57, was piloting his Cirrus SR22T aircraft, flying from Nashville’s John C. Tune Airport to Macon County Airport. The flight appeared normal until the final minutes, when James reported to air traffic controllers that he was preparing for a visual approach to runway 7. He mentioned performing a 360-degree turn to adjust his approach. That was the last anyone heard from him. Moments later, radar data showed the plane spiraling downward before it crashed into a field less than a mile from the runway.
Witnesses on the ground described seeing the small blue-and-white plane flying unusually low and rocking from side to side before flipping upside down. The NTSB’s preliminary investigation indicates that there was no sign of engine failure or fire before impact, suggesting a possible loss of control during descent. Investigators said the aircraft’s parachute system, designed for emergencies, was never deployed.
Also on board were James’ wife, Melody Carole Wilson, 59, and her daughter, Meryl Maxwell Wilson, 28. All three perished in the crash. The news sent shockwaves through both the country music community and those who admired James not only as a songwriter but as a kind, grounded figure known for lifting others in the business.
James’ legacy is enormous. He co-wrote Carrie Underwood’s breakout hit “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” which earned him a Grammy Award and cemented his place among Nashville’s most respected songwriters. Over the course of his career, he penned more than 500 songs recorded by some of the biggest artists in music — including Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw, and Kelly Clarkson — contributing to over 110 million album sales worldwide. His songs carried a rare emotional sincerity, often blending heartache, hope, and faith in ways that resonated far beyond genre lines.
Friends and collaborators have described James as a “storyteller with a soul.” He was known for his humility and for his ability to find the perfect line to describe a moment everyone could feel. In the days after the crash, tributes poured in from across the industry. Carrie Underwood shared a post remembering him as “a man with heart, talent, and light — someone whose words helped define a generation of songs.” Others echoed the same sentiment — that Brett James was more than just a songwriter; he was a quiet force behind some of the music world’s most defining moments.
The crash investigation remains ongoing, with the final report expected in the coming months. But even as investigators work to piece together what went wrong in those final seconds, the emotional weight of this loss is already clear.
For those who loved his music, Brett James’ passing feels deeply personal. His songs weren’t just hits — they were soundtracks to people’s lives. The image of his final flight — calm skies, a soft descent, and then silence — feels unbearably poetic for a man who gave voice to so many emotions.
He once said in an interview that the best songs come from “truth and timing.” Both of those elements now mark his final chapter. Brett James’ time on Earth ended far too soon, but his truth — the beauty and honesty in his music — will live on.
