Brett James<\/b>, the Grammy-winning songwriter behind hits like <\/span>Carrie Underwood\u2019s <\/b>\u201cJesus Take the Wheel\u201d and <\/span>Taylor Swift\u2019s<\/b> \u201cA Perfectly Good Heart,\u201d has tragically died in a plane crash in North Carolina.<\/span><\/p>\n Over his prolific career, James wrote or co-wrote hundreds of songs spanning multiple genres. His work includes \u201cBlessed\u201d by <\/span>Martina McBride<\/b>, arena anthems for <\/span>Bon Jovi<\/b>, and more hits for pop artists like <\/span>Kelly Clarkson.<\/b><\/p>\n According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA ) <\/span>via WZTV Nashville<\/span><\/a>, James was one of three people aboard a Cirrus SR22T that crashed near Franklin, North Carolina, on Thursday afternoon. The plane that was registered in James\u2019 name had left from Nashville earlier that day. No students or staff were injured at the nearby Iotla Valley Elementary School, authorities confirmed<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame announced James’ passing on Thursday night in an <\/span>Instagram<\/span><\/a> post writing, \u201cWe mourn the untimely loss of Hall of Fame member Brett James (\u201cJesus Take The Wheel\u201d \/ \u201cWhen The Sun Goes Down\u201d), a 2020 inductee who was killed in a small-engine airplane crash on Sept. 18. He was 57.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Carrie Underwood<\/span><\/a> also took to Instagram to share a <\/span>tribute<\/span><\/a> to James.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Who Is Brett James: The Grammy-Winning Songwriter Who Died at the Age of 57 1402523915<\/p>\n She shared with her fans pictures of the two of them throughout the years, along with the heartfelt caption, \u201cBrett\u2019s passing is leaving a hole in all of us that I fear won\u2019t ever go away. It will forever be a reminder that this life is but a moment\u2026we have to make the most of each day we\u2019re given here on earth. Each day is a gift.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m asking all of you to pray for his family, friends and all of us that were blessed enough to know Brett,\u201d the singer continued. \u201cLove you, man. I\u2019ll see you again someday.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/div>\n