- New NTSB report reveals the final radio transmission from Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James before his fatal plane crash.
- The report indicates the plane entered a “tightening spiral” before impact, with no signs of engine failure detected.
- The tragic accident also claimed the lives of James’ wife, Melody Carole, and her daughter, Meryl Wilson.
- The country music community, including ASCAP and the Nashville Songwriters Association, is mourning the profound loss of the legendary artist.
New Details Emerge in Tragic Plane Crash
The country music world continues to grieve the shocking loss of Brett James, the celebrated singer-songwriter, who was killed last month in a devastating plane crash in North Carolina. Now, a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is shedding light on the final moments of the flight that also took the lives of his wife, Melody Carole, 59, and her daughter, Meryl Wilson, 28.
The Final Transmission and Descent
According to the NTSB’s findings, James, who was piloting the aircraft, made his final radio transmission as he approached Macon County Airport. He reported his intention to perform a “360 degree turn to land” on the runway. That was the last communication received from the plane.
A “Tightening Spiral” Before Impact
The report details how the aircraft descended and made a turn to approach the runway. However, tragedy struck moments later. “Surveillance video showed the airplane flying over the runway before initiating a descending left turn,” the NTSB report stated. “The airplane continued descending in the left turn before entering a tightening spiral and impacting the ground.” Investigators found no initial signs of engine failure, leaving more questions than answers about the cause of the fatal maneuver.
Country Music World Mourns a Legend
The news of James’ death sent shockwaves through Nashville and beyond. Tributes immediately poured out across social media, confirming the immense impact he had on the industry and his peers.
Tributes from the Community
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) remembered James as a two-time ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year. “Brett was a trusted collaborator to country’s greatest names and a true advocate for songwriters,” the organization wrote. “We miss him dearly.”
The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) also expressed its grief, stating on Facebook, “The NSAI family is stunned by the death of board member and legendary songwriter Brett James. The loss is profound.”
A Prolific and Celebrated Career
At 57, James had built a monumental career. A member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, he was the creative force behind 494 songs recorded by other artists. He is most famously known for co-writing Carrie Underwood’s groundbreaking 2006 hit, “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” His songwriting credits are a who’s who of country music, including massive hits for stars like Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, Martina McBride, and Rodney Atkins. Though he started as a solo artist in 1995, his true legacy was cemented in the countless chart-topping songs he penned for others.
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