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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released new details about the fatal plane crash<\/a> that killed legendary songwriter\u00a0Brett James<\/a>\u00a0and two of his family members in September.<\/p>\n According to WFAA<\/a>, the preliminary report reveals that the plane “appeared to spiral” as it descended toward its destination of Macon County Airport in Franklin, N.C.<\/p>\n The plane \u2014\u00a0piloted by James \u2014\u00a0began to approach the runway at 2:48 PM local time on Sept. 18.<\/p>\n In his final transmission to air traffic control, James said he was flying at 6,800 feet and intended to make a full 360-degree turn before landing the aircraft.<\/p>\n Witnesses who saw the plane in its final moments before crashing say that its wings were “rocking side-to-side” as it flew unusually low over the playground of Iotla Valley Elementary School.<\/p>\n The crash took place in a field near the school, about half a mile away from the runway where James intended to land.<\/p>\n Read More<\/em>: 40 Country Singers Who Died Too Soon<\/strong><\/p>\n Tracking data shows that the plane began to descend in a left turn. In the report, investigators describe its path as a “tightening spiral.” From the ground, witnesses saw it rolling into an upside down position before disappearing behind trees as it crashed.<\/p>\n According to NTSB’s report, the plane was found upright in the field where it crashed, and no signs of engine failure were discovered.<\/p>\n James’ wife Melody Carole and her 28-year-old daughter Meryl Maxwell Wilson were the other two victims<\/a> in the crash. He and Carole married in August 2021, and Meryl had recently celebrated her birthday at the time of the tragedy.<\/p>\n One of Nashville’s most-acclaimed country music songwriters, James co-wrote nearly a dozen songs for Carrie Underwood<\/a>‘s projects. Among those were “Church Bells,” “Cowboy Casanova,” “The Champion” and “Jesus Take the Wheel.”<\/p>\n He also wrote hits for a slew of other artists, including Kenny Chesney<\/a>, Dierks Bentley<\/a>, Rascal Flatts<\/a> and Martina McBride<\/a>.<\/p>\n Read More<\/em>: 13 Brett James Songs You’ve Known + Loved For Years<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Many country stars issued tributes in the wake of James’ death.<\/p>\n Jason Aldean<\/a> said he was “heartbroken” by the loss in a social media post<\/a>, where he also shared a performance clip of his hit “The Truth,” which James co-wrote.<\/p>\n In her remembrance, Carrie Underwood recalled some memories<\/a> of working with James, and said her favorite songs to sing with him were the ones about Jesus, because “the thoughts and feelings behind them are so genuine and pure.”<\/p>\n Kenny Chesney admitted that “a part of my creative soul” went with James when he died, recounting a musical partnership and friendship that dated back to Chesney’s earliest days in Nashville.<\/p>\n This list proves that small risks an artist takes each time they travel to a show adds up.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nHow Did Brett James Die?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Who Was Brett James?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
11 Country Singers Who Died in Plane Crashes<\/h2>\n