Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, and their two children Emma and Ryder were among seven people killed when their private jet crashed at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina on Thursday. The crash occurred around 10:15 a.m. as the Cessna C550 jet was attempting to land, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
NASCAR confirmed the deaths in a statement, also identifying the other victims as Craig Wadsworth, Dennis Dutton and Jack Dutton. The plane was operated by a company owned by Biffle, according to flight records. The aircraft had taken off from the airport before turning back and crashing near the runway, local media reported.
Biffle, 55, was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023 and received the Myers Brothers Award last year for his relief efforts following Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. Governor Josh Stein called the crash “heartbreaking,” praising Biffle’s courage and compassion. Congressman Richard Hudson also paid tribute, recalling how the family flew hundreds of rescue missions after the hurricane.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating, with a press conference scheduled for Friday. Weather conditions at the time included light rain and poor visibility, though it is unclear if these factors contributed to the crash.
