The preliminary report offers new details about the crash that killed the Nashville Hall of Fame songwriter behind several country hits.
Federal investigators say Brett James’ plane appeared to spiral before crashing in a field near an elementary school.
According to the report, James’ Cirrus SR22T took off from Nashville’s John C. Tune Airport and was headed to Macon County Airport in Franklin when the incident occurred. The plane was on a personal flight and operated under visual conditions, with James as the pilot.
As the aircraft approached the airport around 2:48 p.m., James reported he had the runway in sight and was approved to switch to common traffic advisory frequency. Moments later, he told air traffic control he was flying at 6,800 feet and planned to make a full 360-degree turn before landing.
That was the final transmission received from the aircraft.
Flight tracking data showed the plane began descending in a left turn before entering what investigators describe as a “tightening spiral.” It crashed about a half-mile from the runway in a field near Iotla Valley Elementary School.
Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft flying unusually low over the school’s playground, with its wings “rocking side-to-side.” The plane was then seen rolling inverted before disappearing behind trees and crashing.
No one on the ground was injured.
The report says James’ plane came to rest upright in the field with all major components of the aircraft still at the scene. Investigators found no signs of engine failure. The plane was recovered and is undergoing further investigation.
James was best known for writing hits like Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and Kenny Chesney’s “When the Sun Goes Down.” He was also a 2020 inductee into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
