Skip to main content
News Directory 3
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • News
  • Sports
  • Tech
  • World
Menu
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • News
  • Sports
  • Tech
  • World
Brett James Dies: 'Jesus, Take The Wheel' Songwriter Killed in Plane Crash - News Directory 3

Brett James Dies: ‘Jesus, Take The Wheel’ Songwriter Killed in Plane Crash

September 19, 2025 Victoria Sterling Business
News Context
At a glance
  • Grammy award-winning country ⁢songwriter Brett James, known for hits like Carrie Underwood's "Jesus,‍ Take the Wheel" and Kenny Chesney's "When the Sun Goes Down," died in a plane...
  • The Federal Aviation Administration reported a preliminary investigation into the crash of a⁢ small plane with three people aboard.
  • James was traveling in a Cirrus SR22T registered⁣ to Brett James Cornelius, his legal name, according to FAA records.
Original source: fortune.com

“`html

Brett James, Grammy-Winning Country Songwriter, Dies in Plane Crash

Table of Contents

  • Brett James, Grammy-Winning Country Songwriter, Dies in Plane Crash
    • Overview
    • Details of the Crash
    • Brett⁢ James’s Career and Legacy
    • The cirrus SR22T Aircraft

Published ⁤September 19, 2024, at 22:15:40 EDT. Updated as new information becomes available.

Overview

Grammy award-winning country ⁢songwriter Brett James, known for hits like Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus,‍ Take the Wheel” and Kenny Chesney’s “When the Sun Goes Down,” died in a plane crash in Franklin, North Carolina, on⁢ thursday, September 12, 2024. He was 57 years old. The single-engine Cirrus SR22T aircraft crashed wiht no survivors.

What: Death ⁣of Grammy-winning country songwriter Brett James in a plane crash.
Were: Franklin, North Carolina.
When: Thursday, September 12, 2024.
Why it Matters: James was a prolific and influential songwriter responsible for numerous country music hits.
What’s Next: The Federal Aviation Governance (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the cause of the crash.
⁢

Details of the Crash

The Federal Aviation Administration reported a preliminary investigation into the crash of a⁢ small plane with three people aboard. The plane went down Thursday afternoon “under unknown circumstances” in a wooded area near Franklin,⁢ North Carolina. The North Carolina ⁣State Highway Patrol confirmed there⁣ were no survivors.

James was traveling in a Cirrus SR22T registered⁣ to Brett James Cornelius, his legal name, according to FAA records. It remains unclear whether James was piloting the ⁣aircraft. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are conducting a‍ full investigation to determine the cause of the crash.

Brett⁢ James’s Career and Legacy

brett James (born Brett James Cornelius on December ⁣28, 1966) established himself as a ⁤highly sought-after songwriter in Nashville. His songwriting credits include numerous chart-topping songs for ‍some of country music’s biggest stars.

  • “Jesus, Take the Wheel” ⁤ – Carrie Underwood (2005)
  • “When the ⁤Sun ⁣Goes Down” – Kenny Chesney featuring Uncle Kracker (2004)
  • “Something to ‍Be Proud ⁢Of” – Montgomery Gentry (2003)
  • “Out of the Blue” – Kenny Chesney (2005)
  • “I Saw the Light” – Wynonna Judd‍ (1993)

James won a Grammy Award⁢ in 2006 for his work on Carrie Underwood’s‍ “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” He was also a recipient of multiple awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors and⁢ Publishers (ASCAP). His songs frequently enough explored themes of faith, love, and everyday life, resonating with a broad audience.

The cirrus SR22T Aircraft

The‍ cirrus SR22T is a popular single-engine, four- or five-seat airplane known for its safety ⁢features, including a whole-airframe parachute system.cirrus Aircraft emphasizes the SR22T’s advanced avionics and ease of⁢ operation. Though, the ⁢aircraft has⁤ been involved in a number⁣ of accidents over the years, prompting investigations into its design and operation.

Aircraft Type Manufacturer Seating Capacity Typical Range
Cirrus SR22T Cirrus Aircraft 4-5 Approximately 1,100 nautical ⁢miles

<

Share this:

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X

Related

Aviation, Music, Obituary

Search:

News Directory 3

News Directory 3 catalogs US newspapers, news services, newsstands and digital news outlets across all 50 states. Browse local publishers by city, state, or topic, and follow current headlines linked back to their original sources.

Quick Links

  • Disclaimer
  • Terms and Conditions
  • About Us
  • Advertising Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy

Browse by State

  • Alabama
  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado

© 2026 News Directory 3. All rights reserved.
For contact, advertising, copyright, issues email: office@newsdirectory3.com