WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has unveiled new information regarding last month’s fatal plane crash in North Carolina that took the lives of Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James and two others. The NTSB’s preliminary report details the events leading up to the September 18 accident.

Investigators have revealed that the plane, piloted by James, appeared to spiral uncontrollably before crashing into a field close to an elementary school.

The report indicates that the Cirrus SR22T aircraft departed from Nashville’s John C. Tune Airport, en route to Macon County Airport in Franklin. The flight was a personal journey under visual flight rules, with James at the helm.

As the plane neared its destination around 2:48 p.m., James communicated to air traffic control that he had visual contact with the runway and was cleared to switch to the common traffic advisory frequency. Shortly after, he reported maintaining an altitude of 6,800 feet and stated his intention to execute a complete 360-degree turn prior to landing.

That was the final transmission received from the aircraft.

Flight tracking data showed the plane began descending in a left turn before entering what investigators describe as a “tightening spiral.” It crashed about a half-mile from the runway in a field near Iotla Valley Elementary School.

Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft flying unusually low over the school’s playground, with its wings “rocking side-to-side.” The plane was then seen rolling inverted before disappearing behind trees and crashing.

No one on the ground was injured.

The report says James’ plane came to rest upright in the field with all major components of the aircraft still at the scene. Investigators found no signs of engine failure. The plane was recovered and is undergoing further investigation.

James was best known for writing hits like Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and Kenny Chesney’s “When the Sun Goes Down.” He was also a 2020 inductee into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.