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Grammy-Winning Songwriter Dies in Plane Crash
20 Oct
Summary
- Country singer-songwriter Brett James piloted the plane that crashed, killing him and his family
- The NTSB report details the incident, which was captured on camera
- James was known for writing hits for other country and pop artists
In a tragic turn of events, renowned country singer-songwriter Brett James, 57, was piloting the plane that crashed and killed him, his wife Melody Carole, 59, and his 28-year-old stepdaughter last month. According to a report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) published on October 18, 2025, James was attempting to land the Cirrus SR22T aircraft when he lost control, causing it to spiral out of the air and crash in Macon County, North Carolina.
The incident was captured on camera as James' small-engine plane began descending in a "tightening spiral" before crashing into the ground. Witnesses reported the aircraft flying at a low altitude and "rocking side-to-side" before rolling over and plummeting. The NTSB found no signs of engine failure, and the plane has since been recovered for further examination.
James, a Grammy-winning songwriter, was known for penning hits for other country and pop artists, including Kelly Clarkson, Faith Hill, Rascal Flatts, and Tim McGraw. While he struggled with his own solo career, he found immense success behind the scenes, writing songs like Carrie Underwood's smash hit "Jesus, Take the Wheel." Underwood and other collaborators have paid tribute to James, calling him "the epitome of 'cool'" and lamenting the loss of a talented artist.
