The Cessna Citation 550 crashed while attempting to return to Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina, killing seven people onboard, including former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife and two children. NTSB and FAA teams have started examining the wreckage to determine the cause; weather at the time was drizzly and cloudy. Witnesses at a nearby golf course reported debris and a dramatic scene as the jet went down. Investigators will review flight data, maintenance records and weather as part of a full inquiry.
Seven Killed in North Carolina Jet Crash; Investigators Examine Wreckage — Former NASCAR Star Greg Biffle Among Victims
First responders tend to the scene of a plane crash at a regional airport in Statesville, North Carolina, on December 18. - Matt Kelley/AP
Federal investigators on Friday began sifting through the wreckage of a business jet that crashed in North Carolina on Thursday, killing all seven people aboard, including retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and members of his family.
The Cessna Citation 550 erupted into a large fire when it struck the ground after attempting to return to Statesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of Charlotte, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said. The aircraft had departed Statesville shortly after 10 a.m. and was bound for Florida when the emergency return occurred.
What Is Known So Far
Flight-tracking data show the jet was registered to a company operated by Biffle. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the accident or why the aircraft turned back amid drizzly, cloudy conditions. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have both launched investigations and an NTSB team was dispatched to the scene on Thursday.
FAA records indicate Biffle was rated to fly helicopters and single- and multi-engine airplanes, but officials have not confirmed whether he was piloting the jet at the time of the crash.
Victims and Reactions
Authorities identified the victims as Greg Biffle, 55; his wife, Cristina; their children Ryder, 5, and Emma, 14; plus Dennis Dutton, his son Jack, and Craig Wadsworth.
"Each of them meant everything to us, and their absence leaves an immeasurable void in our lives," the family said in a joint statement.
Biffle was a high-profile competitor in American stock car racing, winning more than 50 races across NASCAR's national series, including 19 Cup Series victories. He captured the Craftsman Truck Series championship in 2000 and the Xfinity Series title in 2002. NASCAR released a statement calling him "a beloved member of the NASCAR community, a fierce competitor, and a friend to so many."
Greg Biffle is seen during final practice for the Daytona 500 NASCAR Cup Series race on February 19, 2022 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. - David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire/AP
In recent years Biffle had been active in local humanitarian efforts; in 2024 he was recognized for using his personal helicopter to deliver aid to flood-affected, remote areas of western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene.
Witness Accounts and Aircraft Details
Golfers at the Lakewood Golf Club adjacent to the airport reported seeing the plane flying unusually low before it crashed, and said debris landed on the ninth hole. "We were like, 'Oh my gosh! That's way too low,'" Joshua Green of Mooresville recalled. Several players dropped to the ground as the aircraft passed overhead.
The jet involved was a Cessna Citation 550, a twin-engine, mid-size business jet built in 1981 that typically seats six to eight passengers plus two crew. Aviation safety experts note the model has historically been a popular business jet with a generally strong safety record, though each accident is investigated on its own facts.
Investigation And Context
The NTSB and FAA will analyze the wreckage, flight records, maintenance logs and weather conditions as they work to determine the probable cause. Authorities have urged patience while investigators complete on-site evidence collection and laboratory analysis.
As context, the NTSB has investigated more than a thousand U.S. crashes so far in 2025 across aircraft types, a reminder of the scope of aviation safety work nationwide. Major international air disasters this year have also drawn attention to aviation-safety issues around the world.
Officials and family members asked for privacy while they grieve. Further updates will be released by investigators as they become available.
