NTSB Probes North Carolina Plane Crash Killing Seven/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Federal authorities are investigating a deadly plane crash in Statesville, North Carolina, that killed seven, including former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his family. The Cessna jet went down shortly after takeoff while attempting to return to the airport. Investigators from the NTSB and FAA are working to determine the cause.
North Carolina Plane Crash + Quick Looks
- Cessna C550 crashed after takeoff near Statesville, NC
- All seven onboard, including Greg Biffle and family, killed
- Plane registered to Biffle’s company, destination was Florida
- Weather was cloudy and drizzly at time of crash
- FAA and NTSB investigating; cause currently unknown
- Witnesses saw plane flying unusually low before crash
- Debris scattered across Lakewood Golf Club near airport
- Plane built in 1981, known for reliability
- Biffle remembered as NASCAR champion and humanitarian
NTSB Probes North Carolina Plane Crash Killing Seven
Deep Look
STATESVILLE, N.C. — Federal investigators are beginning their analysis of a tragic plane crash in North Carolina that claimed seven lives, including former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife, and their two children. The twin-engine business jet, a Cessna C550, crashed shortly after takeoff from Statesville Regional Airport on Thursday morning while attempting to return amid poor weather conditions.
The aircraft erupted in flames upon impact, leaving behind a field of wreckage just minutes after it had departed on a planned flight to Florida. Authorities from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol reported that the plane was attempting to circle back to the airport when it crashed in drizzly and overcast conditions.
The jet was registered to a company managed by Biffle, and flight tracking data confirmed it took off shortly after 10 a.m. What prompted the sudden return remains unknown. Neither officials nor flight data could confirm if Biffle himself was flying the aircraft at the time. FAA records show Biffle was licensed to operate helicopters as well as single- and multi-engine aircraft.
A family statement confirmed the identities of the victims: Greg Biffle, 55, his wife Cristina, their children Ryder, 5, and Emma, 14. Also on board were Dennis Dutton, his teenage son Jack, and longtime friend and aide 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, a prominent name in the NASCAR world, had a decorated racing career. He won over 50 races across NASCAR’s top divisions, including 19 in the Cup Series. His legacy also includes championship titles in the Truck Series (2000) and the Xfinity Series (2002). NASCAR paid tribute to Biffle as a “beloved member of the NASCAR community” known for his fierce competitiveness and unwavering support for fans and fellow drivers.
Witnesses at Lakewood Golf Club, adjacent to the airport, described a harrowing scene. Debris from the crash covered parts of the course, including the ninth hole. Joshua Green of Mooresville recalled watching the plane fly overhead unusually low before the crash. “We were like, ‘Oh my gosh! That’s way too low.’ It was scary,” he said.
The crash has drawn swift attention from federal agencies. A team from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) arrived Thursday evening to lead the investigation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is also involved. The Cessna C550, manufactured in 1981, is widely considered a reliable mid-size business jet, typically seating six to eight passengers with two pilots.
Aviation expert Jeff Guzzetti noted the aircraft’s strong safety track record, but said any aircraft is vulnerable to mechanical failure, pilot error, or sudden weather changes.
Beyond his racing achievements, Biffle was known for his humanitarian efforts. In 2024, he used his personal helicopter to deliver aid to flood-ravaged areas in western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina reflected on the Biffles’ charitable work, saying, “The last time I spoke with Cristina, just a couple of weeks ago, she asked how she could help with relief efforts in Jamaica. That’s who the Biffles were.”
Craig Wadsworth, one of the crash victims, was a close friend of Biffle who often helped with charitable missions and logistical support. His roommate, Benito Howell, described him as “someone who didn’t know how to say no” and “always tried to help everybody.”
Also remembered were Dennis Dutton and his teenage son Jack, whose deaths have deeply impacted their community. “They were deeply loved,” said the joint family statement, “and their loss is felt by all who knew them.”
As 2025 nears its end, the NTSB has reported investigating over 1,300 U.S. aviation incidents this year, ranging from small private aircraft to large commercial jets. Though most involve minor or non-fatal events, this tragedy adds to a grim list of major air disasters in 2025.
Globally, several catastrophic aviation events have rocked the year: a collision between a plane and helicopter in Washington killed 67; an Air India disaster claimed 260 lives; and a fatal crash in Russia’s Far East took 48 lives. In the U.S., a UPS cargo plane crash in Kentucky resulted in 14 deaths, including 11 on the ground.
As federal investigators begin their work at the scene in Statesville, families and communities across the NASCAR world and beyond mourn the loss of lives cut short in a sudden and devastating accident.
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