Tragic Plane Crash Claims Lives of NASCAR Star and Family

Fri Dec 19 2025 17:41:36 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A private jet crash in North Carolina resulted in the tragic deaths of seven individuals, including NASCAR icon Greg Biffle.

A private jet crash at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina led to the deaths of seven people, including NASCAR racer Greg Biffle and his family. The jet took off Thursday morning but shortly after attempted to return to the airport before crashing in flames. Investigators are still determining the cause of the crash, which occurred in poor weather conditions. The victims, described as beloved members of the NASCAR community, leave a significant void behind.

A private jet crashed at a regional North Carolina airport and erupted into flames Thursday, killing seven people, including retired NASCAR star Greg Biffle and three members of his family.

Here are some things to know about the crash.

What happened?

The plane took off Thursday morning from Statesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles north of Charlotte. Shortly after takeoff, the jet turned back toward the airport and crashed while attempting to land, according to tracking data.

Investigators are still looking into the cause of the crash, as conditions were reportedly drizzly at the time.

Who was on board?

The victims included Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, their son Ryder, and daughter Emma, along with three others who were deeply connected to the NASCAR community.

What type of plane was it?

The jet was a Cessna C550, a well-known business aircraft typically seating six to eight passengers. The aircraft was registered to a company owned by Biffle, and it was scheduled for a flight to Florida before heading to the Bahamas.