NASCAR legend Greg Biffle and his family have died following a plane crash at the Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina.
Airport officials confirmed on Thursday, December 18, that an aircraft registered to Biffle burst into flames upon landing.
“I can confirm there were fatalities,” Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell said in the first statement to AP.
A family friend of Biffle subsequently took to Facebook and confirmed that the NASCAR racer and his family were on board the aircraft. Biffle is married to Cristina Grossu and they share 5-year-old son Ryder Jack. The athlete is also the father of teen daughter Emma with ex-wife Nicole Lunders.
“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,” Garrett Mitchell wrote on social media. “We are devastated. I’m so sorry to share this.”
As the story develops, keep scrolling for everything to know so far:
Who Was Greg Biffle?
Biffle was a decorated NASCAR driver having racked up over 50 wins across the sport’s three series. He was also named one of the one of the 75 best NASCAR drivers in history in 2023.
Who Was on Board Greg Biffle’s Plane?
The AP confirmed on Thursday that there were six people on board the aircraft that crashed. North Carolina State Highway Patrol later revealed that there were seven passengers.
North Carolina Congressman Richard Hudson and family friend confirmed in a social media post that Biffle and his three family members were among the deceased.
“I am devastated by the loss of Greg, Cristina, and their children, and my heart is with all who loved them,” he wrote. “They were friends who lived their lives focused on helping others. Greg was a great NASCAR champion who thrilled millions of fans. But he was an extraordinary person as well, and will be remembered for his service to others as much as for his fearlessness on the track.”
Hudson remembered the “hundreds of rescue missions” flown by Biffle following Hurricane Helene in September 2024.
“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 concluded. “Our prayers are with their family, friends, and everyone grieving this unimaginable loss.”
Dennis Dutton, his son Jack and Craig Wadsworth were also killed in the crash, a joint statement from the families of the deceased confirmed.
“Dennis Dutton and his son Jack were deeply loved as well, and their loss is felt by all who knew them,” the statement read. “Craig Wadsworth was beloved by many in the NASCAR community and will be missed by those who knew him.”
Biffle’s family also spoke out in the statement.
“We are devastated by the loss of our loved ones. This tragedy has left all of our families heartbroken beyond words,” the statement read. “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.”
When Did Greg Biffle’s Plane Crash?
According to a report from the AP, the plane took off at 10 a.m. local time before attempting to return to North Carolina. A statement from airport officials on Thursday to The Charlotte Observer stated that the aircraft crashed at 10:15 a.m.
Where Was Greg Biffle’s Plane Going When It Crashed?
The plane was set to take off at the Statesville Regional Airport and head to Sarasota, Florida before heading to the Bahamas. The aircraft was then set to return to Florida, this time heading to Fort Lauderdale before returning to North Carolina.
What Kind of Plane Was Greg Biffle on?
The AP reported that Biffle was on a Cessna C550, otherwise known as the Citation II, a light or midsized business jet.
Was Greg Biffle Flying the Plane?
Further details about the plane crash have yet to be released.
Was Weather a Factor in Greg Biffle’s Plane Crash?
It’s unclear what exactly caused Biffle’s plane to crash. However, the Vice President of Forecasting Operations at AccuWeather, Dan DePodwin, released a statement regarding the weather in North Carolina.
“Adverse weather conditions were reported in the vicinity of Statesville Regional Airport around the time of the plane crash. Heavy drizzle and a cloud ceiling near 1,200 feet were reported at 10:15 a.m.,” the statement, shared with Us read. “The cloud ceiling had reportedly lowered to around 400 feet, with heavy rain reducing visibility to less than 2 miles at 10:30 a.m. Weather conditions are often a critical factor that investigators carefully review after a plane crash. It may take months to a year or longer for investigators to determine if the weather conditions contributed to the crash.”
