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New information has emerged on the small plane crash that killed legendary songwriter Brett James.
The National Transportation Safety Board’s aviation investigation preliminary report shows that James was operating the Cirrus SR22T when the crash occurred near North Carolina.
The report states that James took off from John C. Tune Airport in Nashville, Tennessee, and “requested visual approach” to the runway “from air traffic control” at Macon County Airport in Franklin, North Carolina. Air traffic control approved the request, and “the pilot reported the airport in sight” at 2:48 p.m. that afternoon. James transmitted that “he was at 6,800 ft and intended to perform a 360° turn to land” on the runway, according to the preliminary report. After that, “there were no further transmissions received from the pilot.”
Data show that “the airplane began a descending,” and surveillance video shows “the airplane flying over the runway before initiating a descending left turn.” The aircraft entered a “spiral,” according to the report. “Multiple witnesses near the accident site reported observing the airplane flying at a low altitude near the airport and over a nearby school playground.” Witnesses described the plane as “rocking side-by-side. …The airplane was recovered and retained for further examination,” the National Transportation Safety Board states.
James died in the crash along with wife Melody Carole, 59, and stepdaughter Meryl Wilson, 28.
Country artists quickly paid tribute to James last month. The Grammy-winning songwriter was known for writing or co-writing hits by Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Dierks Bentley, Jason Aldean, Martina McBride, and many more. Underwood shared a heartfelt tribute to James as she mourned his “unfathomable” loss. Chesney said the loss is “a very difficult goodbye.”