MACON COUNTY, N.C. —

Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James, known for penning hits including Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” died in a small-engine plane crash in North Carolina on Thursday, according to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame .

He was 57.

A plane registered under James’ name reportedly crashed into a field in Franklin, North Carolina, about 270 miles southeast of Nashville, around 3 p.m. Thursday, according to data from FlightAware and a statement from the FAA.

Rick Diamond/Getty Images via CNN Newsource

The Federal Aviation Administration said there were three people aboard the plane when it crashed and emergency management said no one survived.

NBC News is reporting that the other victims were identified as Melody Carole and Meryl Maxwell Wilson.

T

See Full Page