Retired NASCAR champion and family members among seven killed in fiery plane crash

Statesville, North Carolina: A business jet carrying seven people, including retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his family, crashed at an airport in North Carolina, killing everyone aboard, authorities said.

The Cessna C550 erupted into a large fire when it hit the ground on Thursday, North Carolina time. It had departed Statesville Regional Airport, about 70 kilometres north of Charlotte, but soon crashed while trying to return and land, North Carolina Highway Patrol said.

Flight records show the plane was registered to a company run by Biffle.

“Although the post-crash fire prevents us from releasing a definitive list of the occupants at this time, it is believed that Mr Gregory Biffle and members of his immediate family were occupants of the airplane,” state police said.

Biffle was on the plane with his wife Cristina and children Ryder and Emma. Others on the plane were identified as Dennis Dutton, his son Jack and Craig Wadsworth.

Biffle, 55, won more than 50 races across NASCAR’s three circuits, including 19 at the Cup Series level. He also won the Trucks Series championship in 2000 and the Xfinity Series title in 2002.

Greg Biffle holds his daughter Emma before a race in 2012.Credit: AP

NASCAR said it was devastated by the news.

“Greg was more than a champion driver; he was a beloved member of the NASCAR community, a fierce competitor, and a friend to so many,” NASCAR said.

“His passion for racing, his integrity, and his commitment to fans and fellow competitors alike made a lasting impact on the sport.”

The plane, bound for Florida, took off from the Statesville airport shortly after 10am on Thursday, local time, according to tracking data posted by FlightAware.com.

A screengrab shows firefighting crews responding to the crash at Statesville, North Carolina.Credit: AP

Golfers playing next to the airport were shocked as they witnessed the disaster, even dropping to the ground at the Lakewood Golf Club while the plane was overhead. The ninth hole was covered with debris.

“We were like, ‘Oh my gosh! That’s way too low’,” said Joshua Green of Mooresville. “It was scary.”

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration were investigating. AccuWeather says there was some drizzle and cloud at the time of the crash.

The Cessna plane, built in 1981, is a popular mid-sized business jet with an excellent reputation, aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti said. It has two engines and typically seats six to eight passengers.

In 2024, Biffle was honoured for his humanitarian efforts after Hurricane Helene struck the United States, even using his personal helicopter to deliver aid to flooded, remote western North Carolina.

“The last time I spoke with Cristina, just a couple of weeks ago, she reached out to ask how she could help with relief efforts in Jamaica. That’s who the Biffles were,” said US Representative Richard Hudson, a Republican from North Carolina.

Wadsworth was Biffle’s friend and helped him with odd jobs, including delivering supplies to places hit by Hurricane Helene, roommate Benito Howell said.

“He didn’t know how to say ‘no’,” Howell said of Wadsworth, who had worked for several NASCAR teams. “He loved everybody. He always tried to help everybody.”

AP

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