Greg Biffle and family killed in North Carolina plane crash

Credits: WCNC Charlotte

Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and six others (a total of 7 people) died when a private jet crashed at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina on Thursday morning.

The incident took place around 10:15 a.m. local time as the Cessna C550 business jet attempted to land, bursting into flames off the end of the runway.

Authorities reported heavy drizzle, low cloud ceilings and reduced visibility at the time, though investigators have not yet determined the cause.

"Greg was more than a champion driver, he was a beloved member of the NASCAR community, a fierce competitor, and a friend to so many," NASCAR stated.

The aircraft had taken off shortly before and was bound for Florida but turned back amid the weather conditions. The plane belonged to a company linked to Biffle.

Biffle, 55, died along with his wife, Cristina Biffle, their 5-year-old son, Ryder Biffle, and his 14-year-old daughter from a previous marriage, Emma Biffle. The other victims included Dennis Dutton, his son Jack Dutton and Craig Wadsworth.

Identification remains pending from the medical examiner due to extensive fire damage. Witnesses saw Biffle board the plane, according to a highway patrol spokesman.

Credits: WSOC via AP

The National Transportation Safety Board dispatched a team of 16 investigators to the site, arriving Friday to examine systems, flight recorders, operations and meteorology over the next week.

The Federal Aviation Administration also responded to the scene.

The airport, located about 40 miles north of Charlotte and serving NASCAR teams, closed indefinitely for debris removal.

Biffle won 19 Cup Series races during his career and secured championships in the Xfinity Series in 2002 and the Craftsman Truck Series in 2000.

He earned a spot among NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023 and received the NMPA Myers Brothers Award in 2024 for relief efforts after Hurricane Helene.

"Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board departed Washington Dulles Airport at about 5:30 pm ET Thursday and are en route to North Carolina to begin their investigation," the NTSB said in a statement.

No more details yet.