In a tragic incident in Statesville, North Carolina, a business jet crash claimed the lives of retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his family, and three other individuals. Federal investigators are now deeply involved in understanding the circumstances that led to the Cessna C550’s fatal return to the airport shortly after takeoff.

The aircraft, which was engulfed in flames upon impact, departed from Statesville Regional Airport, located approximately 45 miles north of Charlotte. The crash occurred within ten minutes of takeoff as the plane attempted to return, officials reported.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that about five minutes into the flight, the plane made a turn back towards the airport. In its attempt to land, it collided with trees, airport lights, and a fence, ultimately coming to a halt on the runway.

Flight records indicate that the plane was registered to a company operated by Biffle. NTSB investigators are now piecing together the reasons for the ill-fated return, especially considering the drizzling and cloudy weather conditions at the time.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, Greg Biffle was certified to fly helicopters and both single- and multi-engine planes. Also on board was Dennis Dutton, with two individuals listed under this name in the federal pilot license database. Tragically, the crash also took the lives of Dutton’s son, Jack, and Biffle’s friend, Craig Wadsworth.

The NTSB said three people had pilot’s licenses, but they’ve yet to determine who exactly was flying the plane. 

Biffle’s wife, Cristina, and children Ryder, 5, and Emma, 14, were also killed in the crash, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said.

“Each of them meant everything to us, and their absence leaves an immeasurable void in our lives,” the joint family statement said.

Cristina Biffle’s mother told People magazine that her daughter sent her a text message saying, “We’re in trouble,” before she didn’t hear from her again.

Greg Biffle, 55, won more than 50 races across NASCAR’s three circuits, including 19 at the Cup Series level. He also won the Trucks Series championship in 2000 and the Xfinity Series title in 2002.

NASCAR called Biffle “a beloved member of the NASCAR community, a fierce competitor, and a friend to so many.”

“His passion for racing, his integrity, and his commitment to fans and fellow competitors alike made a lasting impact on the sport,” NASCAR said.

A memorial with flowers sprouted up Friday by Biffle’s marble star in his hometown of Mooresville, honoring him as a member of the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame.

In 2024, Biffle was honored for his humanitarian efforts after Hurricane Helene struck the U.S., even using his personal helicopter to deliver aid to flooded, remote western North Carolina.

“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,” U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, a Republican from North Carolina, said.

Wadsworth was Biffle’s friend and helped him with odd jobs, including delivering supplies to places hit by Hurricane Helene, roommate Benito Howell said.

“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.”

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.”

The Statesville airport remained closed Friday while the NTSB performed its investigation, a city spokesperson said.

Associated Press writers Allen G. Breed; Jenna Fryer in Charlotte, North Carolina; Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska; Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina; Ed White in Detroit; and Hallie Golden in Seattle contributed to this story.

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