Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife and two children were among the victims, authorities and family representatives said.
STATESVILLE, N.C. — A Cessna C550 crashed and burst into flames at Statesville Regional Airport late Thursday morning, killing seven people as it attempted to land in light rain, officials said. The jet was registered to a company operated by retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, and his family members were on board, according to relatives and local authorities.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration arrived in Statesville Thursday afternoon and began documenting the scene. The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office said all occupants died at the airport, about 40 miles north of Charlotte. The flight was headed to Florida, according to airport officials, and crashed shortly after 10:15 a.m. as first responders raced to extinguish a fire that sent plumes of smoke over the runway. The case is now moving from an emergency response to a federal probe, with a preliminary timeline and key records—maintenance logs, pilot qualifications and air traffic data—under review.
Witnesses described a low, fast approach and a “screaming” engine before the jet struck the runway area and exploded. The sheriff’s office confirmed seven fatalities, including Biffle; his wife, Cristina; and their children, Ryder and Emma. Family friends said the group planned to visit Sarasota, Fla., and shared a brief tribute: “This tragedy has left all of our families heartbroken beyond words,” relatives said in a written statement. Sheriff Darren Campbell said deputies, airport personnel and fire crews reached the wreckage quickly but found no survivors. Officials did not immediately say who was at the controls.
Airport staff reported the crash occurred just after 10:15 a.m. on the primary runway. Weather at the time was described as cloudy with drizzle, according to local reports, but investigators cautioned that conditions alone rarely explain such events. Records show the jet was registered to GB Aviation Leasing, tied to Biffle. Federal officials said the NTSB will lead the safety investigation, while the FAA will assist with regulatory support. Photos and video from the airport showed multiple fire engines surrounding a scorched section of pavement as black smoke billowed for several minutes.
Statesville Regional Airport serves corporate, charter and general aviation traffic for Iredell County and the Lake Norman area. The crash stunned residents who know Biffle from his two-decade racing career and charity work, including disaster-relief missions. Several nearby businesses briefly locked down as firefighters worked to secure the scene and cool the wreckage. Pilots in the area reported routine operations resumed on a secondary runway later in the day, but the affected stretch remained closed overnight for federal documentation.
Investigators said they will collect flight-tracking data, air traffic control recordings and on-site measurements before moving the wreckage to a secure facility. The coroner’s office will confirm identifications and notify families. No charges are expected in a safety probe of this type, but the NTSB will examine maintenance history, crew rest, fueling, prior discrepancies and any onboard recorders. Officials said a preliminary report, focusing on facts rather than cause, is expected within weeks, with a final finding that could take a year or longer.
On the airport perimeter, workers and golfers from a nearby course described a sudden fireball, then a wave of sirens. “It was just a wall of heat,” said Michael Turner, who was driving near the field when the jet crashed. At the terminal, a gate agent hugged a colleague as firefighters rolled more foam onto the blackened asphalt. A small memorial of flowers and checkered flags grew by nightfall, as fans recalled Biffle’s championship seasons and charity flights that delivered supplies after hurricanes.
As of late Thursday, the runway where the jet came down remained closed and guarded by deputies. Federal crews planned to return at first light Friday to continue documentation and interviews. Authorities said they will release additional details when the medical examiner completes identifications and when investigators are ready to brief the public.
Author note: Last updated December 19, 2025.