Overview

• Authorities confirmed three fatalities after the single-engine Cirrus SR22T went down Thursday afternoon near Franklin, North Carolina.
• The aircraft was registered to James under his legal name, Brett Cornelius, and departed Nashville’s John C. Tune Airport earlier that day.
• The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation with FAA support, and the cause remains undetermined.
• The North Carolina State Highway Patrol identified the other two victims as Melody Carole and Meryl Maxwell Wilson.
• The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame confirmed James’ death as tributes highlighted his Grammy for co-writing “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and a catalog that includes 27 No. 1 country hits.