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By Gabe Whisnant
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A business jet carrying seven people, including retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, 55, and members of his family, crashed Thursday at an airport in North Carolina, killing everyone on board, authorities said.
The Cessna C550 erupted into flames after hitting the ground at Statesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles north of Charlotte, the North Carolina Highway Patrol said. The plane had departed the airport but crashed shortly afterward while attempting to return and land.
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Flight records show the aircraft was registered to a company operated by Biffle. State police said the severity of the post-crash fire prevented the immediate release of a definitive list of occupants, but investigators believe Biffle and members of his immediate family were aboard.
Authorities identified the victims as Biffle; his wife, Cristina; their children, Ryder and Emma; Dennis Dutton; Dutton’s son, Jack; and Craig Wadsworth.
“Although the post-crash fire prevents us from releasing a definitive list of the occupants at this time, it is believed that Mr. Gregory Biffle and members of his immediate family were occupants of the airplane,” state police said.
Earlier Thursday, Garrett Mitchell, known professionally as YouTuber Cleetus McFarland, said in a social media post that Biffle, his wife, Cristina, daughter Emma and son Ryder were on the aircraft while traveling to visit his family.
“Unfortunately, I can confirm Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma and son Ryder were on that plane…because they were on their way to spend the afternoon with us,” Mitchell wrote via Facebook on Thursday, December 18. “We are devastated. I’m so sorry to share this.”
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Earlier reports Thursday revealed the plane was owned by Biffle. The aircraft, bearing tail number N257BW, is registered to GB Aviation Leasing, which lists the same address as Biffle. Flight data showed the plane was scheduled to travel from Sarasota, Florida, to Treasure Cay International Airport in the Bahamas before returning to Fort Lauderdale and then to Statesville later in the day.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA are investigating the crash.
Video from WSOC-TV showed emergency crews rushing onto the runway as flames burned near scattered wreckage from the aircraft.
Statesville Regional Airport provides corporate aviation facilities for Fortune 500 companies and several NASCAR teams, according to the airport’s website. Statesville is about 45 miles north of Charlotte.
Video and images from the scene showed the plane engulfed in flames after the crash at the city-owned airport.
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Who was Greg Biffle?
Biffle won more than 50 races across NASCAR’s three national series, including 19 victories at the Cup Series level. He captured the Trucks Series championship in 2000 and the Xfinity Series title in 2002.
Born Dec. 23, 1969, in Vancouver, Washington, Biffle rose through the racing ranks in the 1990s before becoming one of NASCAR’s most accomplished drivers of the 2000s.
He was one of a small group of drivers to win championships in multiple NASCAR national series. Biffle later 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 Biffle’s Cup Series success came while driving for Roush Fenway Racing, where he became known for his consistency and competitiveness on intermediate tracks. Over his career, he made more than 500 Cup Series starts and remained a familiar presence in NASCAR’s top division for more than a decade.
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 so many,” NASCAR said. “His passion for racing, his integrity, and his commitment to fans and fellow competitors alike made a lasting impact on the sport.”
After stepping away from full-time competition, Biffle continued to make occasional racing appearances and remained involved in aviation and business ventures.
In 2024, Biffle was recognized for humanitarian work following Hurricane Helene, including using his personal helicopter to deliver supplies to flooded and hard-to-reach areas of western North Carolina.
U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, a Republican from North Carolina, said Biffle’s wife, Cristina, had recently contacted him to ask how she could help with relief efforts in Jamaica. “That’s who the Biffles were,” Hudson said.
What is a Cessna C550 jet?
The Cessna C550, commonly known as the Citation II, is a twin-engine business jet designed for short- to medium-range travel. Introduced in the late 1970s, the aircraft is widely used for corporate and private flights and typically seats six to eight passengers. The jet is known for its reliability and ability to operate from relatively short runways, making it a common choice for regional airports. The Federal Aviation Administration regulates the aircraft under standard business jet safety and maintenance requirements.
Biffle's Cessna plane was built in 1981.
Where is Statesville Regional Airport?
Statesville Regional Airport is a public airport located in Iredell County, North Carolina, about 45 miles north of Charlotte. The airport primarily serves general aviation, including private, corporate and charter aircraft, and does not offer commercial airline service. It features a single runway and supports a mix of business travel, flight training and recreational aviation for the surrounding region.
Updates: 12/18/25, 2:53 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
Updates: 12/18/25, 6:22 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
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