Crash Details
A Cessna C550 business jet crashed near Statesville Regional Airport Thursday, killing retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife, two children, and three pilots, leaving investigators scrambling to determine why the aircraft returned to the runway shortly after takeoff.
## Crash Circumstances
The aircraft departed Statesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of Charlotte, and crashed less than 10 minutes later while attempting to return and land in drizzle and cloudy conditions. It hit the ground roughly a third of a mile (550 meters) from the runway, erupting into a large fire that claimed all seven occupants.
## Aircraft and Ownership
The Cessna C550 was registered to a company run by Biffle, and investigators noted that the plane was a single-engine business jet. The wreckage was found in a remote area adjacent to the airport’s runway.
## Investigation Efforts
Federal investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recovered the cockpit voice recorder and are examining flight data to determine the cause of the crash. “They were not aware of any emergency calls from the jet,” NTSB member Michael Graham said at a Friday news conference.
## Pilot Crew
Three pilots were aboard the jet. Biffle, a retired NASCAR driver, was rated to fly helicopters, single-engine, and multi-engine aircraft. The other pilots were Dennis Dutton, his son Jack-who holds a private pilot’s license for single-engine planes-and Biffle’s friend Craig Wadsworth.
## Victims
Biffle’s wife, Cristina, and their children Ryder, 5, and Emma, 14, were also on board and died in the crash. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol confirmed the fatalities. “Each of them meant everything to us, and their absence leaves an immeasurable void in our life”, the joint family statement said.
## Final Text Message
Cristina Biffle’s mother told People magazine that her daughter sent a text message saying, “We’re in trouble,” before she didn’t hear from her again.
## Biffle’s Racing Legacy
Greg Biffle, 55, had won more than 50 races across NASCAR’s three circuits, including 19 Cup Series events. He also captured the Trucks Series championship in 2000 and the Xfinity Series title in 2002.
## NASCAR’s Tribute
NASCAR called Biffle “a beloved member of the NASCAR community, a fierce competitor, and a friend to so many.” The organization added, “His passion for racing, his integrity, and his commitment to fans and fellow competitors alike made a lasting impact on the sport.”
## Memorial in Mooresville
A memorial with flowers sprouted Friday beside Biffle’s marble star in his hometown of Mooresville, honoring him as a member of the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame.
## Humanitarian Efforts
In 2024, Biffle was honored for his humanitarian work after Hurricane Helene struck the United States. He used his personal helicopter to deliver aid to flooded, remote areas of western North Carolina.
## Congressional Acknowledgment
U.S. Representative Richard Hudson, a Republican from North Carolina, said, “The last time I spoke with Cristina, just a couple of weeks ago, she reached out to ask how she could help with relief efforts in Jamaica. That’s who the Biffles were.”
## Wadsworth’s Support
Craig Wadsworth, a friend of Biffle, had helped him with odd jobs, including delivering supplies to places hit by Hurricane Helene, according to roommate Benito Howell.
## Howell’s Reflection
“He didn’t know how to say no,” Howell said of Wadsworth, who had worked for several NASCAR teams. “He loved everybody. He always tried to help everybody.”
## Family Statement on Dutton and Jack
The joint family statement also spoke about Dutton and his son Jack, saying they were “deeply loved as well, and their loss is felt by all who knew them.”
## Airport Closure
The Statesville airport remained closed Friday while the NTSB performed its investigation, a city spokesperson said.
## Investigation Status
Investigators continue to analyze flight data and cockpit recordings to determine why the jet returned to the airport and what caused the crash. No emergency calls were detected from the aircraft.
## Key Takeaways
– A Cessna C550 crashed near Statesville Regional Airport, killing all seven aboard.
– The aircraft was registered to a company run by retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle.
– Investigators have recovered the cockpit voice recorder but found no emergency calls.
## Closing
The tragedy has left a profound void in the racing community and the families of those lost. As investigators work to uncover the exact sequence of events, the nation mourns the loss of a celebrated driver, his loved ones, and friends who were on board that fateful flight.
