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A business jet carrying seven people, including retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his family members, crashed Thursday at an airport in North Carolina, killing everyone on board, authorities said.
The Cessna C550 burst into flames when it crashed. It took off from Statesville Regional Airport, about 72 miles north of Charlotte, but crashed while trying to land, the North Carolina Highway Patrol said.
Flight records show the plane was registered to a company owned by Biffle.
“Although the post-crash fire prevents us from releasing an exact list of people on board at this time, it is believed that Mr. Gregory Biffle and members of his immediate family were on board the plane,” state police said.
He was on the plane with his wife, Cristina, and their children, Ryder and Emma. The others on the plane were identified as Dennis Dutton, his son Jack, and Craig Wadsworth.
Biffle, 55, has won more than 50 races in three NASCAR championships, including 19 at the Cup Series level. He also won the Trucks Series championship in 2000 and the Xfinity Series title in 2002.
A ‘beloved member’ of the NASCAR community
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 many,” NASCAR said in a statement. “His passion for racing, his integrity, and his dedication to fans and competitors alike have had a profound impact on the sport.”
The flight, bound for Florida, took off from Statesville Airport shortly after 10 a.m. local time, according to tracking information posted by FlightAware.com.
Golfers who were playing near the airport were shocked when they saw the disaster, and even fell to the ground at Lakewood Golf Club when the plane was overhead. The ninth hole was covered in debris.
“We were like, ‘Oh my god! That’s too low,'” said Joshua Green of Mooresville, NC “It was scary.”
The US National Transportation Safety Board and the US Federal Aviation Administration are investigating.
In 2024, Biffle was recognized for his humanitarian efforts after Hurricane Helene hit the US, even using his helicopter to deliver aid to flooded western North Carolina.
“The last time I spoke to Cristina, a few weeks ago, she reached out to ask how she could help with the relief efforts in Jamaica. That’s who the Biffles are,” said Rep. Richard Hudson, Republican of North Carolina, in a statement.
Wadsworth was Biffle’s friend and helped him with odd jobs, including delivering supplies to areas hit by Hurricane Helene, according to roommate Benito Howell.
“He didn’t know no,” Howell said of Wadsworth, who had worked for several NASCAR teams. “He loved everybody. He was always trying to help everybody.”
