FRANKLIN, N.C. —

Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James, known for penning hits including Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” died in a plane crash on Thursday, according to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame . He was 57.

A plane registered under James’ legal name, Brett Cornelius, crashed into a field in Franklin, North Carolina, about 270 miles southeast of Nashville, around 3 p.m. Thursday, according to data from flight-tracking website FlightAware and a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration. Advertisement

All three people on board – the pilot and two passengers – died in the crash, the FAA said . The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause.

CNN has reached out to Macon County Sheriff’s Office for further information.

James,

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