Three people were killed Thursday afternoon when a small plane that departed Nashville crashed in Macon County, North Carolina, WSMV reported Thursday night.
Flight data shows the plane left John C. Tune Airport at 12:41 p.m. Officials said the Cirrus SR22T went down around 3 p.m. near an elementary school in Macon County.
The FAA confirmed the aircraft was owned by Brentwood resident Brett Cornelius. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame later identified him as one of the victims. Cornelius, known professionally as Brett James, was a Grammy-winning songwriter and producer. He co-wrote Carrie Underwood’s breakout hit “Jesus Take the Wheel,” Kenny Chesney’s “When the Sun Goes Down,” and dozens of other chart-topping country and pop songs.
Over his decades-long career, James earned more than 25 No. 1 hits and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020. He was widely regarded as one of Nashville’s most successful and versatile songwriters, writing for artists across genres including Kelly Clarkson, Bon Jovi, Martina McBride, and Jason Aldean.
The names of the other two victims have not yet been released.
Federal investigators are examining flight records, radar information, weather conditions, and witness accounts to determine the cause of the crash. An initial report is expected within the next month.
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