FRANKLIN, N.C. (WZTV) — Three people have died in a small-engine plane crash near Franklin, North Carolina, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). One of the occupants was Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James, confirmed by the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
The Cirrus SR22T, a plane registered to James that left Nashville at 12:41 p.m. CST, went down west of Iotla Valley Elementary School, reported WLOS earlier Thursday. Students and staff were reported safe, and no one was injured at the school, according to the Macon County Sheriff’s Office.
A statement from the FAA states:
"A Cirrus SR22T crashed in a field in Franklin, North Carolina, around 3 p.m. local time on Thursday, Sept. 18. Three people were on board. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide further updates."
