Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle has died with his wife, his two children and three others in a plane crash at the Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina on Thursday, according to statements released by the victims’ families and NASCAR, NBC News reports.

The Cessna C550 erupted into a large fire when it hit the ground. It had departed Statesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of Charlotte, but soon crashed while trying to return and land, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said.

Flight records show the plane was registered to a company run by Biffle. The cause of the crash wasn’t immediately known, nor was the reason for the plane’s return to the airport in drizzle and cloudy conditions.

Biffle was on the plane with his wife, Cristina, and children Ryder and Emma, according to statements released by the families and NASCAR. Others on the plane were identified as Dennis Dutton, his 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.

Airport director John Ferguson told reporters that the FAA was taking over the crash scene.

“We have no information on any cause,” Ferguson said. “The airport now is closed until further notice, it will take some time to get the debris off the runway, to get it safe again.”

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,” the statement said. “His passion for racing, his integrity, and his commitment to fans and fellow competitors alike made a lasting impact on the sport.”

A joint statement from the families asked for privacy.

“Each of them meant everything to us, and their absence leaves an immeasurable void in our lives,” the statement said. “We ask for privacy, compassion and understanding as we grieve and begin to process this unimaginable loss.”

Garrett Mitchell, known for his racing content on YouTube, wrote in a post on Facebook that Biffle’s family were on their way to spend the afternoon with him when the plane crashed.

“We are devastated,” Mitchell wrote.

Biffle, 55, was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers along with famed drivers Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and Jeff Gordon. He started 515 NASCAR Cup Series races, winning 19, and he was the first driver to win championships in both the Xfinity Series and the Truck Series.

A NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee and pilot, Biffle used a private helicopter last year to help deliver supplies to victims in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, when flooding made some parts of western North Carolina inaccessible by road.

The regional airport, about 45 miles north of Charlotte, is used by NASCAR teams and Fortune 500 companies.

Golfers playing next to the airport were shocked as they witnessed the disaster, even dropping to the ground at the Lakewood Golf Club while the plane was overhead. The ninth hole was covered with debris.

“We were like, ‘Oh my gosh! That’s way too low,’” said Joshua Green of Mooresville. “It was scary.”

AccuWeather says there was some drizzle and clouds at the time of the crash.

The plane took off from the airport shortly after 10 a.m. but then returned and was attempting to land there, according to tracking data posted by FlightAware.com.

The plane had planned to fly later from Sarasota, Florida, to Treasure Cay International Airport in the Bahamas before returning to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and then to Statesville by evening, data showed.

Video from WSOC-TV showed first responders rushing onto the runway as flames burned near scattered wreckage from the plane.

With 2025 almost over, there have been 1,331 U.S. crashes this year investigated by the NTSB, from two-seat planes to commercial aircraft, compared to a total of 1,482 in 2024.

Major air disasters around the world in 2025 include the plane-helicopter collision that killed 67 in Washington, the Air India crash that killed 260 in India, and a crash in Russia’s Far East that claimed 48 lives. Fourteen people, including 11 on the ground, died in a UPS cargo plane crash in Kentucky.

Robertson reported from Raleigh, North Carolina. Associated Press writers Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska, Ed White in Detroit and Sarah Brumfield in Washington contributed to this story.

This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle has died with his wife, his two children and three others in a plane crash at the Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina on Thursday, according to statements released by the victims’ families and NASCAR, NBC News reports.

The Cessna C550 erupted into a large fire when it hit the ground. It had departed Statesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of Charlotte, but soon crashed while trying to return and land, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said.

Flight records show the plane was registered to a company run by Biffle. The cause of the crash wasn’t immediately known, nor was the reason for the plane’s return to the airport in drizzle and cloudy conditions.

Biffle was on the plane with his wife, Cristina, and children Ryder and Emma, according to statements released by the families and NASCAR. Others on the plane were identified as Dennis Dutton, his 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.

Airport director John Ferguson told reporters that the FAA was taking over the crash scene.

“We have no information on any cause,” Ferguson said. “The airport now is closed until further notice, it will take some time to get the debris off the runway, to get it safe again.”

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,” the statement said. “His passion for racing, his integrity, and his commitment to fans and fellow competitors alike made a lasting impact on the sport.”

A joint statement from the families asked for privacy.

“Each of them meant everything to us, and their absence leaves an immeasurable void in our lives,” the statement said. “We ask for privacy, compassion and understanding as we grieve and begin to process this unimaginable loss.”

Garrett Mitchell, known for his racing content on YouTube, wrote in a post on Facebook that Biffle’s family were on their way to spend the afternoon with him when the plane crashed.

“We are devastated,” Mitchell wrote.

Biffle, 55, was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers along with famed drivers Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and Jeff Gordon. He started 515 NASCAR Cup Series races, winning 19, and he was the first driver to win championships in both the Xfinity Series and the Truck Series.

A NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee and pilot, Biffle used a private helicopter last year to help deliver supplies to victims in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, when flooding made some parts of western North Carolina inaccessible by road.

The regional airport, about 45 miles north of Charlotte, is used by NASCAR teams and Fortune 500 companies.

Golfers playing next to the airport were shocked as they witnessed the disaster, even dropping to the ground at the Lakewood Golf Club while the plane was overhead. The ninth hole was covered with debris.

“We were like, ‘Oh my gosh! That’s way too low,’” said Joshua Green of Mooresville. “It was scary.”

AccuWeather says there was some drizzle and clouds at the time of the crash.

The plane took off from the airport shortly after 10 a.m. but then returned and was attempting to land there, according to tracking data posted by FlightAware.com.

The plane had planned to fly later from Sarasota, Florida, to Treasure Cay International Airport in the Bahamas before returning to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and then to Statesville by evening, data showed.

Video from WSOC-TV showed first responders rushing onto the runway as flames burned near scattered wreckage from the plane.

With 2025 almost over, there have been 1,331 U.S. crashes this year investigated by the NTSB, from two-seat planes to commercial aircraft, compared to a total of 1,482 in 2024.

Major air disasters around the world in 2025 include the plane-helicopter collision that killed 67 in Washington, the Air India crash that killed 260 in India, and a crash in Russia’s Far East that claimed 48 lives. Fourteen people, including 11 on the ground, died in a UPS cargo plane crash in Kentucky.

Robertson reported from Raleigh, North Carolina. Associated Press writers Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska, Ed White in Detroit and Sarah Brumfield in Washington contributed to this story.

This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle has died with his wife, his two children and three others in a plane crash at the Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina on Thursday, according to statements released by the victims’ families and NASCAR, NBC News reports.

The Cessna C550 erupted into a large fire when it hit the ground. It had departed Statesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of Charlotte, but soon crashed while trying to return and land, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said.

Flight records show the plane was registered to a company run by Biffle. The cause of the crash wasn’t immediately known, nor was the reason for the plane’s return to the airport in drizzle and cloudy conditions.

Biffle was on the plane with his wife, Cristina, and children Ryder and Emma, according to statements released by the families and NASCAR. Others on the plane were identified as Dennis Dutton, his 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.

Airport director John Ferguson told reporters that the FAA was taking over the crash scene.

“We have no information on any cause,” Ferguson said. “The airport now is closed until further notice, it will take some time to get the debris off the runway, to get it safe again.”

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,” the statement said. “His passion for racing, his integrity, and his commitment to fans and fellow competitors alike made a lasting impact on the sport.”

A joint statement from the families asked for privacy.

“Each of them meant everything to us, and their absence leaves an immeasurable void in our lives,” the statement said. “We ask for privacy, compassion and understanding as we grieve and begin to process this unimaginable loss.”

Garrett Mitchell, known for his racing content on YouTube, wrote in a post on Facebook that Biffle’s family were on their way to spend the afternoon with him when the plane crashed.

“We are devastated,” Mitchell wrote.

Biffle, 55, was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers along with famed drivers Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and Jeff Gordon. He started 515 NASCAR Cup Series races, winning 19, and he was the first driver to win championships in both the Xfinity Series and the Truck Series.

A NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee and pilot, Biffle used a private helicopter last year to help deliver supplies to victims in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, when flooding made some parts of western North Carolina inaccessible by road.

The regional airport, about 45 miles north of Charlotte, is used by NASCAR teams and Fortune 500 companies.

Golfers playing next to the airport were shocked as they witnessed the disaster, even dropping to the ground at the Lakewood Golf Club while the plane was overhead. The ninth hole was covered with debris.

“We were like, ‘Oh my gosh! That’s way too low,’” said Joshua Green of Mooresville. “It was scary.”

AccuWeather says there was some drizzle and clouds at the time of the crash.

The plane took off from the airport shortly after 10 a.m. but then returned and was attempting to land there, according to tracking data posted by FlightAware.com.

The plane had planned to fly later from Sarasota, Florida, to Treasure Cay International Airport in the Bahamas before returning to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and then to Statesville by evening, data showed.

Video from WSOC-TV showed first responders rushing onto the runway as flames burned near scattered wreckage from the plane.

With 2025 almost over, there have been 1,331 U.S. crashes this year investigated by the NTSB, from two-seat planes to commercial aircraft, compared to a total of 1,482 in 2024.

Major air disasters around the world in 2025 include the plane-helicopter collision that killed 67 in Washington, the Air India crash that killed 260 in India, and a crash in Russia’s Far East that claimed 48 lives. Fourteen people, including 11 on the ground, died in a UPS cargo plane crash in Kentucky.

Robertson reported from Raleigh, North Carolina. Associated Press writers Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska, Ed White in Detroit and Sarah Brumfield in Washington contributed to this story.

This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle has died with his wife, his two children and three others in a plane crash at the Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina on Thursday, according to statements released by the victims’ families and NASCAR, NBC News reports.

The Cessna C550 erupted into a large fire when it hit the ground. It had departed Statesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of Charlotte, but soon crashed while trying to return and land, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said.

Flight records show the plane was registered to a company run by Biffle. The cause of the crash wasn’t immediately known, nor was the reason for the plane’s return to the airport in drizzle and cloudy conditions.

Biffle was on the plane with his wife, Cristina, and children Ryder and Emma, according to statements released by the families and NASCAR. Others on the plane were identified as Dennis Dutton, his 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.

Airport director John Ferguson told reporters that the FAA was taking over the crash scene.

“We have no information on any cause,” Ferguson said. “The airport now is closed until further notice, it will take some time to get the debris off the runway, to get it safe again.”

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,” the statement said. “His passion for racing, his integrity, and his commitment to fans and fellow competitors alike made a lasting impact on the sport.”

A joint statement from the families asked for privacy.

“Each of them meant everything to us, and their absence leaves an immeasurable void in our lives,” the statement said. “We ask for privacy, compassion and understanding as we grieve and begin to process this unimaginable loss.”

Garrett Mitchell, known for his racing content on YouTube, wrote in a post on Facebook that Biffle’s family were on their way to spend the afternoon with him when the plane crashed.

“We are devastated,” Mitchell wrote.

Biffle, 55, was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers along with famed drivers Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and Jeff Gordon. He started 515 NASCAR Cup Series races, winning 19, and he was the first driver to win championships in both the Xfinity Series and the Truck Series.

A NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee and pilot, Biffle used a private helicopter last year to help deliver supplies to victims in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, when flooding made some parts of western North Carolina inaccessible by road.

The regional airport, about 45 miles north of Charlotte, is used by NASCAR teams and Fortune 500 companies.

Golfers playing next to the airport were shocked as they witnessed the disaster, even dropping to the ground at the Lakewood Golf Club while the plane was overhead. The ninth hole was covered with debris.

“We were like, ‘Oh my gosh! That’s way too low,’” said Joshua Green of Mooresville. “It was scary.”

AccuWeather says there was some drizzle and clouds at the time of the crash.

The plane took off from the airport shortly after 10 a.m. but then returned and was attempting to land there, according to tracking data posted by FlightAware.com.

The plane had planned to fly later from Sarasota, Florida, to Treasure Cay International Airport in the Bahamas before returning to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and then to Statesville by evening, data showed.

Video from WSOC-TV showed first responders rushing onto the runway as flames burned near scattered wreckage from the plane.

With 2025 almost over, there have been 1,331 U.S. crashes this year investigated by the NTSB, from two-seat planes to commercial aircraft, compared to a total of 1,482 in 2024.

Major air disasters around the world in 2025 include the plane-helicopter collision that killed 67 in Washington, the Air India crash that killed 260 in India, and a crash in Russia’s Far East that claimed 48 lives. Fourteen people, including 11 on the ground, died in a UPS cargo plane crash in Kentucky.

Robertson reported from Raleigh, North Carolina. Associated Press writers Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska, Ed White in Detroit and Sarah Brumfield in Washington contributed to this story.

This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle has died with his wife, his two children and three others in a plane crash at the Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina on Thursday, according to statements released by the victims’ families and NASCAR, NBC News reports.

The Cessna C550 erupted into a large fire when it hit the ground. It had departed Statesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of Charlotte, but soon crashed while trying to return and land, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said.

Flight records show the plane was registered to a company run by Biffle. The cause of the crash wasn’t immediately known, nor was the reason for the plane’s return to the airport in drizzle and cloudy conditions.

Biffle was on the plane with his wife, Cristina, and children Ryder and Emma, according to statements released by the families and NASCAR. Others on the plane were identified as Dennis Dutton, his 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.

Airport director John Ferguson told reporters that the FAA was taking over the crash scene.

“We have no information on any cause,” Ferguson said. “The airport now is closed until further notice, it will take some time to get the debris off the runway, to get it safe again.”

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,” the statement said. “His passion for racing, his integrity, and his commitment to fans and fellow competitors alike made a lasting impact on the sport.”

A joint statement from the families asked for privacy.

“Each of them meant everything to us, and their absence leaves an immeasurable void in our lives,” the statement said. “We ask for privacy, compassion and understanding as we grieve and begin to process this unimaginable loss.”

Garrett Mitchell, known for his racing content on YouTube, wrote in a post on Facebook that Biffle’s family were on their way to spend the afternoon with him when the plane crashed.

“We are devastated,” Mitchell wrote.

Biffle, 55, was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers along with famed drivers Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and Jeff Gordon. He started 515 NASCAR Cup Series races, winning 19, and he was the first driver to win championships in both the Xfinity Series and the Truck Series.

A NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee and pilot, Biffle used a private helicopter last year to help deliver supplies to victims in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, when flooding made some parts of western North Carolina inaccessible by road.

The regional airport, about 45 miles north of Charlotte, is used by NASCAR teams and Fortune 500 companies.

Golfers playing next to the airport were shocked as they witnessed the disaster, even dropping to the ground at the Lakewood Golf Club while the plane was overhead. The ninth hole was covered with debris.

“We were like, ‘Oh my gosh! That’s way too low,’” said Joshua Green of Mooresville. “It was scary.”

AccuWeather says there was some drizzle and clouds at the time of the crash.

The plane took off from the airport shortly after 10 a.m. but then returned and was attempting to land there, according to tracking data posted by FlightAware.com.

The plane had planned to fly later from Sarasota, Florida, to Treasure Cay International Airport in the Bahamas before returning to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and then to Statesville by evening, data showed.

Video from WSOC-TV showed first responders rushing onto the runway as flames burned near scattered wreckage from the plane.

With 2025 almost over, there have been 1,331 U.S. crashes this year investigated by the NTSB, from two-seat planes to commercial aircraft, compared to a total of 1,482 in 2024.

Major air disasters around the world in 2025 include the plane-helicopter collision that killed 67 in Washington, the Air India crash that killed 260 in India, and a crash in Russia’s Far East that claimed 48 lives. Fourteen people, including 11 on the ground, died in a UPS cargo plane crash in Kentucky.

Robertson reported from Raleigh, North Carolina. Associated Press writers Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska, Ed White in Detroit and Sarah Brumfield in Washington contributed to this story.

This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle has died with his wife, his two children and three others in a plane crash at the Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina on Thursday, according to statements released by the victims’ families and NASCAR, NBC News reports.

The Cessna C550 erupted into a large fire when it hit the ground. It had departed Statesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of Charlotte, but soon crashed while trying to return and land, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said.

Flight records show the plane was registered to a company run by Biffle. The cause of the crash wasn’t immediately known, nor was the reason for the plane’s return to the airport in drizzle and cloudy conditions.

Biffle was on the plane with his wife, Cristina, and children Ryder and Emma, according to statements released by the families and NASCAR. Others on the plane were identified as Dennis Dutton, his 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.

Airport director John Ferguson told reporters that the FAA was taking over the crash scene.

“We have no information on any cause,” Ferguson said. “The airport now is closed until further notice, it will take some time to get the debris off the runway, to get it safe again.”

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,” the statement said. “His passion for racing, his integrity, and his commitment to fans and fellow competitors alike made a lasting impact on the sport.”

A joint statement from the families asked for privacy.

“Each of them meant everything to us, and their absence leaves an immeasurable void in our lives,” the statement said. “We ask for privacy, compassion and understanding as we grieve and begin to process this unimaginable loss.”

Garrett Mitchell, known for his racing content on YouTube, wrote in a post on Facebook that Biffle’s family were on their way to spend the afternoon with him when the plane crashed.

“We are devastated,” Mitchell wrote.

Biffle, 55, was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers along with famed drivers Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and Jeff Gordon. He started 515 NASCAR Cup Series races, winning 19, and he was the first driver to win championships in both the Xfinity Series and the Truck Series.

A NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee and pilot, Biffle used a private helicopter last year to help deliver supplies to victims in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, when flooding made some parts of western North Carolina inaccessible by road.

The regional airport, about 45 miles north of Charlotte, is used by NASCAR teams and Fortune 500 companies.

Golfers playing next to the airport were shocked as they witnessed the disaster, even dropping to the ground at the Lakewood Golf Club while the plane was overhead. The ninth hole was covered with debris.

“We were like, ‘Oh my gosh! That’s way too low,’” said Joshua Green of Mooresville. “It was scary.”

AccuWeather says there was some drizzle and clouds at the time of the crash.

The plane took off from the airport shortly after 10 a.m. but then returned and was attempting to land there, according to tracking data posted by FlightAware.com.

The plane had planned to fly later from Sarasota, Florida, to Treasure Cay International Airport in the Bahamas before returning to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and then to Statesville by evening, data showed.

Video from WSOC-TV showed first responders rushing onto the runway as flames burned near scattered wreckage from the plane.

With 2025 almost over, there have been 1,331 U.S. crashes this year investigated by the NTSB, from two-seat planes to commercial aircraft, compared to a total of 1,482 in 2024.

Major air disasters around the world in 2025 include the plane-helicopter collision that killed 67 in Washington, the Air India crash that killed 260 in India, and a crash in Russia’s Far East that claimed 48 lives. Fourteen people, including 11 on the ground, died in a UPS cargo plane crash in Kentucky.

Robertson reported from Raleigh, North Carolina. Associated Press writers Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska, Ed White in Detroit and Sarah Brumfield in Washington contributed to this story.

This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.