Three Die in Plane Crash Near Franklin, N.C.
FRANKLIN, N.C. (WZTV) — A small-engine plane crash claimed three lives, including Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James, on Thursday, Sept. 18, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The Cirrus SR22T, registered to James, departed Nashville at 12:41 p.m. CST and crashed around 3 p.m. local time in a field west of Iotla Valley Elementary School. Authorities confirmed that students and staff at the school were unharmed.
The FAA stated, “A Cirrus SR22T crashed in a field in Franklin, North Carolina. The NTSB will investigate and provide further updates.”
James, 57, had over 800 songs recorded by artists including Tim McGraw and Taylor Swift. He was recognized as ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year twice and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020.
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation, with assistance from the North Carolina Highway Patrol. Further details regarding the crash are pending.