Authorities say a Cessna C550 tried to return to Statesville Regional Airport shortly after takeoff before crashing and catching fire.
STATESVILLE, NC — Retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, and their children were among seven people killed Thursday morning when a Cessna C550 business jet crashed while attempting to land at Statesville Regional Airport. The jet had taken off minutes earlier and tried to return in low clouds and drizzle, officials said.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration opened a probe into the crash, which ignited a large fire near the runway and closed the airport for several hours. Authorities identified the other victims as family friends Dennis Dutton, his son Jack, and Craig Wadsworth. Biffle, 55, was a champion in NASCAR’s Truck and Xfinity series and won 19 Cup Series races during a 16-year top-division career. The jet was registered to a company connected to Biffle. Officials emphasized that the cause remains unknown; weather, mechanical issues and pilot actions will be examined in the coming days.
Emergency crews were dispatched around 10:20 a.m. after controllers reported a returning Cessna Citation II experiencing trouble on approach, according to airport officials. Witnesses described hearing the aircraft power up and then a thud before flames rose near the south end of the airfield. Firefighters contained the blaze within minutes but found no survivors. “There were fatalities,” Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell said, noting that his office would assist federal agencies with scene security and notifications. Airport staff said the aircraft departed Statesville bound first for Sarasota, Fla., with plans to continue to the Bahamas later Thursday. The NTSB said an investigator-in-charge would document the wreckage, collect radar and weather data, and review air traffic recordings.
Authorities released the names of the victims after notifying families: Greg Biffle; his wife, Cristina Grossu Biffle; their 5-year-old son, Ryder; and Biffle’s 14-year-old daughter, Emma. The families of the victims issued a joint statement calling themselves “heartbroken beyond words” and asked for privacy. Wadsworth, a longtime figure around NASCAR garages, and the Duttons, a father and son who often traveled with the Biffles, were also aboard. Officials said the jet attempted a return-to-field shortly after departure and crashed near the runway while lining up to land. Light rain and low clouds were reported in the area at the time. Investigators have not confirmed the flight crew composition or who was at the controls.
Records show the plane was a Cessna 550 Citation II built in the early 1980s, a twin-engine jet commonly configured for six to eight passengers. The aircraft was listed to a Biffle-affiliated leasing company. FAA officials said routine post-accident steps include securing maintenance logs, interviewing witnesses and first responders, and examining engines and flight instruments. NTSB teams often remove recorders and other avionics for lab analysis, even in older models that may not carry modern data recorders. Investigators also compare radar tracks and weather observations to reconstruct altitude and airspeed during the return attempt. As of Thursday night, authorities had not publicly detailed any mayday calls, mechanical anomalies or flight-control issues.
Biffle rose from short tracks in the Pacific Northwest to national prominence, winning the 2000 Truck Series title and the 2002 Xfinity (then Busch) championship before moving full-time to the Cup Series. He earned 19 Cup victories between 2003 and 2013 and finished runner-up in the standings in 2005. NASCAR named him among its 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023. In recent years, he focused on business interests, aviation and disaster relief work, using helicopters and aircraft to ferry supplies after storms. Statesville Regional Airport, 40 miles north of Charlotte, is a hub for corporate and team flights linked to the region’s motorsports industry, and several NASCAR organizations base aircraft there.
Procedurally, the NTSB said a “go-team” would arrive Thursday night, with Board Member Michael Graham slated to brief reporters Friday. The agency typically publishes a preliminary report within 30 days, outlining factual information without analysis, and a final report with probable cause in 12 to 24 months. The FAA will provide regulatory support and review maintenance and pilot records. Local authorities will coordinate with the state medical examiner on identifications and autopsies. Airport operations were expected to resume in phases after debris removal and runway inspections. Funeral plans for the victims had not been announced as of late Thursday.
Outside the terminal fence, fans and friends gathered quietly as dusk fell. A bouquet of flowers leaned against a chain-link post near the access road. “Greg was a hero on and off the track,” said FOX Sports reporter Bob Pockrass, reflecting a sentiment echoed across the sport. U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina called the Biffles “tireless helpers” in disaster zones. Former teammates remembered Biffle’s competitive edge and steady manner. At the crash site, the smell of jet fuel lingered as investigators photographed scorched ground and tagged debris before covering the wreckage for overnight security.
As of Thursday night, investigators had not released cockpit audio or a detailed timeline beyond the attempted return to the airport. The next formal update is expected Friday in Statesville. Preliminary findings will focus on weather conditions, maintenance history and flight operations, with a fuller narrative to follow in the preliminary report due within 30 days. Memorial details and any public remembrances will be announced by the families and NASCAR in the coming days.
Author note: Last updated December 18, 2025.