Investigation details released in 10-minute flight, crash killing NASCAR’s Greg Biffle and 6 more

The Brief

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating a deadly plane crash involving NASCAR champion Greg Biffle and six others.
It’s not known who was piloting the plane at this time.
All seven occupants on board the plane died in the crash.

STATESVILLE, NC – 10 minutes. That’s how much time passed from when a 1981 Cessna C550 airplane took off at a North Carolina regional airport and when it crashed – killing NASCAR champion Greg Biffle and six others.

One day later, the National Transportation Safety Board said it’s working to learn more about what happened. The NTSB team is gathering witness statements, analyzing the wreckage from the crash and has sent the plane’s cockpit voice recorder to Washington D.C. for an analysis.

What we know:

A Cessna C550 airplane took off from Stateville Regional Airport in Stateville, North Carolina – about 45 miles north of Charlotte – around 10:05 a.m. on Dec. 18. Investigators said preliminary data showed the plane made a left turn west then a left turn to the east – apparently turning back toward the airport around 5 minutes after leaving.

Michael Graham, board member with the National Transportation Safety Board, said he’s not aware of any issue with the plane at the time that caused it to turn back.

Michael Graham, board member with the National Transportation Safety Board, discusses a deadly plane crash, killing seven. 

“We are studying a lot of things. We are trying to get recordings of the various frequencies that the airplane might have been on (and) any other witness statements that might have heard anything,” Graham said.

The crash happened on the runway, at 10:15 a.m. The plane hit several trees, another runway and a perimeter fence before coming to a stop. Witnesses said the plane came in low, Graham said.

Fire from the impact engulfed the plane’s central body that houses the crew, passengers and cargo and the plane’s wings.

The NTSB is in the process of documenting the accident site.

SOUTH BOSTON, VIRGINIA – JUNE 25: Greg Biffle #69 and his Ryder Jack Biffle look on from the grid during practice for the Camping World Superstar Racing Experience event at South Boston Speedway on June 25, 2022 in South Boston, Virginia. (Photo by J

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Who was on the plane?

Retired NASCAR champion Greg Biffle – whose success on the track and humanitarian work off it left a lasting mark on the sport – died in the crash. He was 55.

Biffle, his wife, Cristina, and their two children — daughter Emma and son Ryder — were among seven people killed. Others in the crash were Craig Wadsworth, Dennis Dutton and Jack Dutton, FOX 8 reported.

No one onboard the plane survived the crash, Graham confirmed.

“On behalf of the NTSB, I want to express our most sincere condolences to the families and loved ones who lost their lives in this terrible tragedy,” Graham said. “We know those on board were deeply rooted in this community.”

Information regarding injuries and fatalities in this incident will be released from the local medical examiner.

Who was flying the plane?

The NTSB has not verified who was piloting the plane at this time, Graham said.

“We do know three of the occupants did possess a pilot’s license,” he said. The NTSB is not aware of a MAYDAY call, Graham said.

How did weather potentially impact the crash?

There was heavy drizzle at the time of the crash.

“That is one of the three things that we mainly look at,” Graham said. “We look at the people operating the aircraft, the aircraft itself, and then we look at the environment. The weather is one of those we look at and will look at very closely.

Who was Greg Biffle?

A native of Vancouver, Washington, Biffle rose through NASCAR’s ranks after being hired by Jack Roush on the advice of Hall of Fame driver Benny Parsons. Nicknamed “The Biff,” he quickly made history, earning Rookie of the Year honors in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 1998 and winning the series championship in 2000.

He followed with Rookie of the Year honors in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2001 and the championship in 2002, becoming the first driver to win titles on both circuits.

Though he never won a Cup Series championship, Biffle was a consistent contender over 14 full-time seasons. He recorded 19 Cup victories in 515 starts, finished in the top 10 in the standings six times and was runner-up in 2005. Across NASCAR’s three national series, he won 54 races.1

North Carolina plane crash press briefing

An investigation is underway after a plane, reportedly owned by NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, crashed at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina on Thursday. FOX 35 News+ took the initial press conference live.

Biffle spent 19 seasons with Roush Fenway Racing before parting ways with the team at the end of 2016. He was later named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers.

What’s next:

The NTSB is planning to remove the wreckage to a different location to conduct an analysis. The NTSB is currently interviewing witnesses to learn more. Further updates will be provided as they become available, Graham said.

It’s not known when the airport will reopen.

Greg Biffle’s Flight Data Under Scrutiny: NTSB Dives Deep into Cockpit Electronics Amid Ongoing Mystery

As Christmas Day 2025 dawns quietly across the nation, the aviation community and NASCAR world continue to grapple with the profound loss from the December 18 plane crash that claimed the lives of former NASCAR champion Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, their son Ryder, daughter Emma, and three others. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is intensifying its analysis of the recovered cockpit electronics, including the cockpit voice recorder (CVR), while families remember Greg and Cristina as dedicated philanthropists whose lives revolved around giving back.

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The Appalachian – It has now been confirmed that Greg Biffle, wife …

The 1981 Cessna Citation 550, registered to Biffle’s GB Aviation Leasing LLC, took off from Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina around 10:05 a.m. on that fateful Thursday. Just ten minutes later, it crashed while attempting an emergency return, killing all seven on board: Biffle, 55; Cristina Biffle; 14-year-old Emma; 5-year-old Ryder; Biffle’s longtime assistant Craig Wadsworth; retired Delta pilot Dennis Dutton; and Dutton’s son Jack.

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Greg Biffle’s Family: What to Know About His Wife and 2 Kids

In the week since, NTSB investigators have provided incremental updates, emphasizing a thorough examination of all cockpit electronics. The CVR—commonly referred to as part of the “black box”—was recovered from the wreckage and transported to NTSB laboratories in Washington, D.C., for data extraction and analysis. Additional avionics, including the ground proximity warning system and caution/warning panels, have also been sent for detailed review.

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Flight recorder | Definition, History, Uses, & Facts | Britannica

NTSB board member Michael Graham, leading on-scene briefings, has stressed that investigators are scrutinizing why the jet attempted a rapid return to the airport shortly after takeoff. Radar data indicates a normal initial climb, followed by a left turn back toward the runway without any mayday call issued. The aircraft struck runway lights, a stanchion, trees, and a fence before coming to rest in flames about 1,800 feet short of the threshold.

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Photos released by the NTSB show the wreckage of the Cessna …

Weather conditions at the time included heavy drizzle, low ceilings, and calm winds—factors now under review. Pratt & Whitney, manufacturer of the twin engines, is participating in the probe. Three licensed pilots were aboard—Biffle (multi-engine rated), Dennis Dutton (fully qualified on the Citation), and Jack Dutton—but the NTSB has yet to confirm who was at the controls.

ntsb.gov

NTSB Investigators Traveling to Site of Business Jet Crash …

One particularly poignant detail emerged: a passenger, believed to be Cristina, sent a brief text message reading “emergency landing” (and in some reports, “we’re in trouble”) to her mother moments before impact. No other communications from the aircraft were reported. This frantic message underscores the suddenness of the crisis, yet the absence of a distress call over radio adds to the intrigue.

Investigators have noted that the aircraft appeared stable on final approach, with landing lights on, but was flying too low relative to the elevated runway terrain. Videos reviewed so far show nothing overtly anomalous aside from the low altitude. While no flight data recorder (FDR) was required or present on this older model, other electronic systems may yield critical parameters like engine performance, altitude, and airspeed.

As of the latest briefings through December 22, 2025, the NTSB has not identified a probable cause. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, with a full probabilistic cause determination likely taking 12-18 months. The focus remains on cockpit electronics to reconstruct the final minutes and uncover any small details—perhaps an anomalous warning, system malfunction, or crew response—that could explain the baffling sequence.

Amid this technical scrutiny, the human side of the tragedy shines through in tributes highlighting Greg and Cristina’s philanthropy. The families’ joint statement described them as “devoted parents and active philanthropists whose lives were centered around their young son Ryder and Greg’s daughter Emma.” Emma was remembered as a kind-hearted teenager loved by many, while Ryder was an “active, curious and infinitely joyful child.”

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It has been confirmed that Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina …

Greg Biffle’s charitable legacy is particularly resonant. He founded the Greg Biffle Foundation in 2005, focusing on animal welfare and donating to over 100 humane societies and shelters nationwide. But his most heroic efforts came in 2024 following Hurricane Helene’s devastation in western North Carolina. Canceling personal plans, Biffle piloted his helicopter on hundreds of relief missions, delivering supplies to isolated communities and even rescuing stranded families—one signaled for help using a mirror from a canyon.

people.com

NASCAR’s Greg Biffle Remembered for Hurricane Helene Relief

He received the National Motorsports Press Association’s Myers Brothers Award in 2024 and the North Carolina Motorsports Association’s Philanthropy Award in 2025 for these efforts. Colleagues and recipients alike hailed him as a “hero,” comparing the rush of helping others to winning races. Cristina shared his passion for aviation and giving back, often coordinating efforts together.

The NASCAR community has poured out support, with tracks lowering flags and fans leaving memorials. NASCAR itself noted Biffle’s on-track achievements—championships in Trucks (2000) and Xfinity (2002), 19 Cup wins, and inclusion among the 75 Greatest Drivers—while emphasizing his off-track impact.

This contrast—between the warmth of a philanthropic family cut short and the cold precision of an unfolding aviation mystery—defines the story. One small detail in the black box data or electronics may yet hold the key, baffling investigators as they piece together why a routine flight turned tragic.

As the NTSB continues its meticulous work, the world reflects on lives dedicated to speed, service, and family. Greg Biffle’s legacy endures in the animals he championed, the communities he aided, and the joy he brought to his loved ones. In the words of those who knew him best, he was more than a champion; he was a giver whose light burned brightly.