New details have emerged concerning the plane crash that killed country music songwriter Brett James and his family. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report indicates that James was piloting the aircraft when he lost control.
People obtained the NTSB report on Monday, October 20, detailing the sequence of events. James reportedly requested a visual approach for landing, then attempted a full turn.
He communicated his intention to perform a "360-degree turn to land." However, there was no further communication with air traffic control after this.
Surveillance footage revealed the plane overflying the runway before initiating a descending left turn. The aircraft continued its descent during the turn.
It then entered a tight spiral before impacting the ground. Witnesses described seeing the plane "rocking back and forth" before it became "inverted and descended behind a line of trees."
Investigators found no signs of engine failure in the wreckage. The aircraft remains under investigation by the NTSB.
The crash, which occurred near Iotla Valley Elementary School in North Carolina, was first reported on September 18. James, 57, died in the accident.
It was later confirmed that his wife, Melody Carole, 59, and his stepdaughter, Meryl Wilson, also perished. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had initially confirmed that three people were aboard the Cirrus SR22T involved in the crash.
James was a prolific songwriter, known for penning hits like Carrie Underwood’s "Jesus Take the Wheel." His work also included songs for artists such as Taylor Swift, Jessica Simpson, Kelly Clarkson, Bon Jovi, and the Backstreet Boys.
Carrie Underwood shared a heartfelt tribute on September 19, describing her loss as "incomprehensible." She remembered James as the epitome of "cool," often arriving at songwriting sessions on his motorcycle.
Underwood cherished his unique renditions of songs, noting how he made "Cowboy Casanova" sound cool despite being a masculine guy. She also recalled a time when James insisted on equal credit for a song despite doing most of the work.
In her tribute, Underwood highlighted James’s deep faith. She spoke of singing together in church and the authenticity of their songs about Jesus.
She concluded that she would never sing those songs again without thinking of him.