NASCAR legend Greg Biffle and his family killed after private jet crashes near North Carolina airport

Seven people were killed in the Thursday morning crash at the Statesville Regional Airport

A plane crash at a North Carolina airport has left seven people dead, including a former NASCAR driver and his family.

NASCAR star Greg Biffle and his family were on board a Cessna C550 jet that crashed around 10:15 a.m. Thursday, while landing at the Statesville Regional Airport, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol told The Independent. Flight records indicate the plane was operated by a company Biffle owned, the Associated Press reports.

State police confirmed that “it is believed Mr Gregory Biffle and members of his immediate family were occupants of the airplane”, but said a full list of occupants will be released upon confirmation by the medical examiner’s office.

Meanwhile, NASCAR released a statement indicating Biffle, his wife Cristina, and their children, Emma and Ryder, died in the crash. The association identified the other victims as Craig Wadsworth, Dennis Dutton and Jack Dutton.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Greg’s entire family, friends, and all who were touched by his life,” NASCAR’s statement reads.

The families of the victims have also released a statement.

“Greg and Cristina were devoted parents and active philanthropists whose lives were centered around their young son Ryder and Greg’s daughter Emma (mother – Nicole Lunders). Emma was a wonderful human being with a kind soul who was loved by many people. Ryder was an active, curious and infinitely joyful child,” the statement reads.

Greg Biffle poses with a trophy and cash prize in 2019 (Getty)

The statement continues: “Dennis Dutton and his son Jack were deeply loved as well, and their loss is felt by all who knew them. Craig Wadsworth was beloved by many in the NASCAR community and will be missed by those who knew him.

“Each of them meant everything to us, and their absence leaves an immeasurable void in our lives.”

Biffle, who was 55 and retired, was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023. Last year, he also accepted NASCAR’s Myers Brothers Award, which recognized his efforts to provide aid in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. The award-winning driver was affectionately nicknamed “The Biff.”

Richard Hudson, a North Carolina Representative, paid tribute to the Biffles in a social media post.

“I am devastated by the loss of Greg, Cristina, and their children, and my heart is with all who loved them,” Hudson wrote.

The plane burst into flames after it crashed at the Statesville Regional Airport on Thursday morning (AP)

“The Biffles flew hundreds of rescue missions in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene. The last time I spoke with Cristina, just a couple of weeks ago, she reached out to ask how she could help with relief efforts in Jamaica. That’s who the Biffles were,” he added.

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein called the crash “heartbreaking.”

“Beyond his success as a NASCAR driver, Greg Biffle lived a life of courage and compassion and stepped up for western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene. My heart goes out to all those who lost a loved one in this tragic crash,” he wrote on X.

The plane was scheduled to later fly from Sarasota, Florida, to Treasure Cay International Airport in the Bahamas, according to the AP. It was then set to return to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The Statesville Regional Airport, which is located about 50 miles north of Charlotte, provides “corporate aviation facilities for Fortune 500 companies and several NASCAR teams,” according to its website.

Seven people were on board the Cessna C550 jet, officials said (AP)

Photos from the scene showed the plane engulfed in flames near the airport’s runway. The plane took off from the airport before immediately turning back around and attempting to land, WCNC reports.

William Hamby, chief deputy for the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office, told The Independent his agency sent a “Mobile Command Unit to the scene to help with the investigation” shortly after the crash.

“The investigation will be conducted by the North Carolina Highway Patrol and the FAA. Our agency was first on scene and reported back the initial information,” he said.

About 80 minutes after the crash, the airport’s weather station recorded light rain and visibility of less than three miles, though it’s unclear if these conditions were present during the crash, CNN reports.

The National Transportation Safety Board plans to provide further updates at press conference scheduled for Friday.