Emergency services are responding to a deadly aviation incident in North Carolina after a private business jet crashed and caught fire while attempting to land.
Emergency Response to Airport Disaster
Firefighting crews raced to the scene at Statesville Regional Airport on Thursday, 18 December 2025, following reports of a crash. The incident occurred just after 10 a.m. local time as the aircraft was on its final approach.
The local sheriff has confirmed there are multiple fatalities resulting from the impact and subsequent fire. The exact number of individuals on board the aircraft remains unconfirmed at this stage.
Investigation into the Crash
Images from the scene depict the Cessna C550 Citation jet completely engulfed in flames near the runway. The airport is situated roughly 50 miles north of Charlotte, making it a key regional hub.
The investigation is now being led by the North Carolina Highway Patrol and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Preliminary FAA records indicate the aircraft was registered to GB Aviation Leasing, a company linked to former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle. Officials have not yet formally confirmed this ownership link as part of the ongoing inquiry.
Ongoing Developments and Next Steps
Authorities have secured the crash site as they begin the meticulous process of determining the cause. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is expected to join the investigation, which will examine factors including pilot communications, aircraft maintenance, and weather conditions at the time of the crash.
This tragic event underscores the critical importance of aviation safety protocols, even at regional airports. The community and the aviation world await further details as investigators work to piece together the sequence of events that led to this fatal accident.
