STATESVILLE, N.C. — A devastating Greg Biffle plane crash at Statesville Regional Airport Thursday morning has left multiple people dead after a Cessna C550 business jet crashed while attempting an emergency landing. The aircraft is registered to former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, though authorities have not confirmed who was aboard at the time of the incident.
The Incident
The crash occurred at approximately 10:15-10:20 a.m. at the airport, located about 45 miles north of Charlotte. The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office confirmed fatalities from the crash, though the exact number has not been released.
According to flight tracking data, the Cessna Citation departed from Statesville Regional Airport at 10:06 a.m., scheduled to fly to Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport in Florida. However, the aircraft traveled just 29 miles before experiencing problems and attempting to return to Statesville.
Reports indicate the aircraft experienced engine trouble shortly after takeoff and attempted an emergency landing back at the departure airport. The plane crashed and burst into flames upon impact.
Weather Conditions and Airport Details
Statesville Regional Airport is an uncontrolled airport with no control tower, requiring pilots to self-report their position using a common radio frequency. Low clouds, light rain, and visibility of less than three miles were reported about 80 minutes after the crash, though it remains unclear if these conditions were present at the time of the accident.
A witness from the nearby Lakewood Golf Club observed the incident and stated that the plane appeared to be flying “way too low” before it crashed. Fog was also present in the area at the time of the incident.
Aircraft Ownership and Greg Biffle Connection
FAA records show the aircraft is owned by GB Aviation Leasing, a limited liability company. North Carolina government business records indicate that former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle is the manager of the company, with the business listing the same address as Biffle in Mooresville, North Carolina.
It is not known whether Biffle or any family members were on board the aircraft at the time of the crash. Authorities have not released the identities of those involved.
Who is Greg Biffle?
Greg Biffle, nicknamed “the Biff,” is a 55-year-old semi-retired professional stock car racing driver born on December 23, 1969, in Vancouver, Washington. He is one of NASCAR’s most accomplished drivers, having won championships in both the Busch Series (now Xfinity Series) in 2002 and the Craftsman Truck Series in 2000, making him one of only three drivers to achieve this feat.
Biffle competed full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series from 2003 through 2016, earning 19 career victories and finishing second in the overall standings in 2005. Much of his Cup Series success came while driving the No. 16 Ford for Roush Fenway Racing.
In recent years, Biffle has become known not only for his racing career but also for his work as a pilot and his charitable efforts, particularly in providing aid during natural disasters.
Investigation Underway
During a media briefing at approximately 12:30 p.m. ET, officials confirmed the jet crashed at the end of the east runway but did not provide a cause for the crash. They also could not identify anyone who was onboard the plane and did not take questions.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are conducting a full investigation into the crash. The Statesville Regional Airport was closed following the incident to allow investigators to examine the scene.
According to the city of Statesville’s website, the airport is city-owned and provides corporate aviation facilities for Fortune 500 companies and several NASCAR teams. The airport is located near the I-77/I-40 interchange, approximately 10 minutes from downtown Statesville.
NASCAR Community Response
The NASCAR community has rallied on social media following news of the crash, with drivers and others in the motorsports industry posting messages asking for prayers and positive thoughts as more information becomes available.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have indicated that updates will be provided as more information becomes available.