At approximately 10:15 a.m. on December 18, 2025, a Cessna C550 Citation business jet registered to Biffle’s company, GB Aviation Leasing, crashed shortly after takeoff from Statesville Regional Airport. According to the FAA and NTSB, the aircraft attempted to return to the runway for an emergency landing amidst drizzling and cloudy conditions before crashing and erupting into flames.
The Victims
Authorities and a joint family statement have confirmed that there were no survivors among the seven people on board:
Greg Biffle (55): A NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee and champion driver.
Cristina Biffle: Greg’s wife.
Emma Biffle (14): Greg’s daughter.
Ryder Biffle (5): The couple's son.
Dennis Dutton & Jack Dutton: The pilot and his son.
Craig Wadsworth: A close family friend and frequent volunteer in relief missions.
A Hero Off the Track
While Biffle was a titan of the sport—the first driver to win championships in both the Xfinity and Truck Series—his legacy in North Carolina shifted from the racetrack to the skies in 2024.
Following the devastation of Hurricane Helene, Biffle became a beacon of hope for Western North Carolina. Using his personal helicopter, he flew hundreds of solo missions into isolated mountain communities to deliver Starlink units, generators, and medicine.
“Greg was an NC hero who flew rescue missions when people had nowhere else to turn,” said one local official. “He used the same airport where this tragedy occurred as his base of operations to save lives just over a year ago.”
Ongoing Investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken the lead on the investigation. Eyewitnesses at the nearby Lakewood Golf Club reported seeing the plane flying "frighteningly low" before the impact. Debris was reportedly scattered across the ninth hole of the golf course.
NASCAR released a statement late Thursday, calling Biffle a "fierce competitor and a friend to so many," noting that his "tireless work saved lives" during the Helene recovery.
WNCTimes
National Archives at College Park - Via Wiki Commons