Greg Biffle’s Plane Crash: Controversial Engine Data Emerges as NTSB Probe Deepens

One week after the tragic December 18, 2025, crash of a Cessna Citation 550 at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina, new questions surround the aircraft’s engine performance. Former NASCAR champion Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, their 5-year-old son Ryder, 14-year-old daughter Emma, and three others perished when the jet crashed shortly after takeoff. As the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) continues its investigation, focus has shifted to the twin Pratt & Whitney engines, with analysts debating potential anomalies in the final moments.

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The 1981-model Cessna 550, registered N257BW to Biffle’s GB Aviation Leasing LLC, departed runway 10 around 10:05 a.m. en route to Florida. Preliminary radar data shows a normal initial climb before the aircraft turned back toward the airport without issuing a distress call. It crashed approximately 10 minutes later, striking approach lights, trees, and a fence before erupting in flames short of runway 28. All seven aboard—Biffle, Cristina, Ryder, Emma, longtime assistant Craig Wadsworth, retired Delta pilot Dennis Dutton, and his son Jack—were killed.

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Cessna Citation II – Wikipedia

NTSB investigators have recovered the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and various avionics, including the ground proximity warning system and caution panels, now under analysis in Washington, D.C. While the older aircraft lacked a mandatory flight data recorder (FDR), other electronic systems may provide insights into engine parameters. Pratt & Whitney, manufacturer of the JT15D turbofan engines, is assisting the probe, though no official cause has been determined.

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Black box flight recorders | ATSB

Emerging discussions among aviation experts center on engine data interpreted from available sources. Some analysts point to a possible sudden surge in engine RPM (or equivalent N1/N2 rotor speeds in turbofans) in the final seconds, sparking debate: Was this a deliberate pilot response to an emergency, such as applying power during a low-altitude turn, or indicative of a technical malfunction like uncontrolled acceleration or asymmetric thrust? The absence of a mayday call and a passenger’s frantic text—”emergency landing” or “we’re in trouble”—sent moments before impact add to the controversy.

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N257BW Cessna 550 Citation Statesville North Carolina 18 DEC 2025 …

Three pilots were on board: Biffle (multi-engine rated but not type-certified for the Citation), Dennis Dutton (fully qualified), and Jack Dutton (single-engine rated). The NTSB has yet to confirm who was flying, a critical factor in assessing actions during the “impossible turn”—a high-risk maneuver after low-altitude engine issues. Weather was marginal with drizzle and low ceilings, but not extreme. Videos show the jet stable on approach with landing lights on, yet too low for the elevated runway terrain.

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An unexplained electronic warning—possibly from the caution system—has also puzzled investigators. Recovered panels may reveal if alerts for engine anomalies, stall proximity, or configuration issues sounded without crew acknowledgment. Analysts are divided: Some suggest pilot distraction or error in a non-standard crew setup, while others speculate on subtle mechanical faults in the 44-year-old airframe, despite its recent certification.

The Cessna Citation II series has a solid safety record, with most incidents linked to operational decisions rather than inherent flaws. However, turbofan engines can experience rare issues like compressor stalls or fuel control malfunctions leading to RPM surges. Without FDR data, reconstructing exact parameters relies on CVR audio, witness videos, and wreckage examination.

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Amid the technical debate, the human toll remains heartbreaking. Greg Biffle, a 2000 Truck Series and 2002 Xfinity champion with 19 Cup wins, was celebrated for his off-track heroism. In 2024, he flew hundreds of helicopter missions delivering aid after Hurricane Helene, earning awards for philanthropy. He and Cristina centered their lives around family and giving back, supporting animal welfare through the Greg Biffle Foundation.

Tributes highlight the family’s warmth: Emma as a kind, beloved teenager; Ryder as joyful and curious. Friends like YouTuber Cleetus McFarland, whom they were visiting, expressed devastation. NASCAR lowered flags and honored Biffle as one of its 75 Greatest Drivers.

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The controversy over engine data underscores aviation’s complexities—where split-second decisions meet mechanical realities. A preliminary NTSB report is expected within 30 days, with a full probable cause in 12-18 months. Until then, speculation persists, but the loss of a philanthropic family unites the racing and aviation worlds in grief.

As Christmas 2025 passes quietly, memories of the Biffles endure: a champion who raced boldly, helped selflessly, and loved deeply. The unexplained surge and warning may eventually clarify the tragedy, but nothing can restore what was lost.