[Archive 2025-09-24] Country music songwriter Brett James dies in North Carolina plane crash

Historical archive — originally published 2025-09-24. This report records what was known on that date. It is not current news; subsequent events may have changed the situation. Wikinews closed in May 2026.

On September 18, American country music singer, songwriter, and record producer Brett James died in a plane crash in a wooded area in Franklin, North Carolina. His death was verified by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. Two other people died onboard the plane. There were no survivors.

According to a preliminary report by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the cause of the crash has not yet been determined. The BBC reported the National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation, with the FAA also involved.

James co-wrote Carrie Underwood's song Jesus Take the Wheel, a collaboration that, according to the BBC, brought him wide attention. Jesus Take the Wheel won a Grammy Award for Best Country Song. It was also nominated for Song of the Year.

Source and licence

Text adapted from Country music songwriter Brett James dies in North Carolina plane crash by Wikinews contributors under CC BY 4.0. Paragraphs have been selected and abridged, and formatting adjusted. Contributor history.