What We Know So Far About the Greg Biffle Plane Crash in Statesville, NC
STATESVILLE, N.C. — A routine flight turned into a horrifying disaster Thursday when a business jet carrying six people crashed while attempting to land at Statesville Regional Airport — an airport frequently used by NASCAR teams and major Fortune 500 corporations.
The Cessna C550 slammed into the runway and burst into flames, sending thick black smoke into the air and leaving scattered wreckage across airport grounds.
WHO WAS ON BOARD?
Seven people were aboard the jet and have all died, according to officials. Among the deceased are retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, and their two children (daughter Emma and son Ryder).
Three other individuals — identified in family statements as Dennis Dutton, Jack Dutton, and Craig Wadsworth — were also on board and died, , according to multiple reports and statements from family representatives and authorities.
Before officials confirmed the tragic news, YouTube personality Garrett Mitchell, known as Cleetus McFarland, posted on Facebook that former NASCAR driver and philanthropist Greg Biffle, his wife, and their two children were among those killed.
Mitchell said the family was traveling to spend the afternoon with him when tragedy struck.
PLANE LINKED TO BIFFLE
Public FAA registration records show the aircraft was registered to GB Aviation Leasing LLC, a company connected to Biffle.
Earlier reports stated that six people were aboard the jet, but that number has now been revised to seven. Authorities have not yet released the identities of those who were onboard when the aircraft went down while attempting to land at the airport, located about 45 miles north of Charlotte.
WHAT WENT WRONG?
According to flight-tracking data from FlightAware, the jet took off shortly after 10 a.m., then unexpectedly returned to the airport and attempted to land.
AccuWeather reported cloudy conditions with light drizzle at the time of the crash.
Flight records show the jet was scheduled to later travel from Sarasota, Florida, to the Bahamas, before returning to Fort Lauderdale and eventually back to Statesville that evening.
