NASCAR legend Greg Biffle and his family died in a plane crash at North Carolina’s Statesville Regional Airport.
Airport officials confirmed on Thursday, December 18 that an aircraft registered to Biffle burst into flames on landing.
“I can confirm there have been fatalities,” Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell he said in his first statement to the AP.
A family friend of Biffle’s later took to Facebook and confirmed that the NASCAR driver and his family were on board the aircraft. Biffle is married to Cristina Grosso and they share son Ryder Jack, 5. The athlete is also the father of teenage daughter Emma with ex-wife Nicole Lunders.
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“Unfortunately, I can confirm that Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma and son Ryder were on that plane… as they were on their way to spend the afternoon with us,” Garrett Mitchell wrote on social media. “We are devastated. I am very sorry to share this.”
As the story develops, keep scrolling for everything known so far:
Who was Greg Biffle?
Biffle was a decorated NASCAR driver who amassed more than 50 victories in the sport’s three series. He was also named one of the 75 Greatest NASCAR Drivers in History in 2023.
Who was on Greg Biffle’s plane?
The A? confirmed on Thursday that there were six people on board the aircraft that crashed. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol later revealed there were seven passengers.
Congressman from North Carolina Richard Hudson and a family friend confirmed in a social media post that Biffle and his three family members were among the dead.
“I am devastated by the loss of Greg, Cristina and their children, and my heart goes out to all who loved them,” he wrote. “They were friends who lived their lives focused on helping others. Greg was a great NASCAR champion who delighted millions of fans. But he was also an extraordinary person and will be remembered as much for his service to others as for his fearlessness on the track.”
Hudson recalled Biffle’s “hundreds of rescue missions” following Hurricane Helene in September 2024.
“The last time I spoke to Cristina, just a few weeks ago, she reached out to ask how she could help with the 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 Duttonhis son Jack and Craig Wadsworth they also died in the accident, confirmed a joint statement of the families of the deceased.
“Dennis Dutton and his son Jack were also deeply loved and their loss is felt by all who knew them,” the statement read. “Craig Wadsworth was loved by many in the NASCAR community and will be missed by those who knew him.”
Biffle’s family also spoke 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 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 endlessly joyful child.”
When did Greg Biffle’s plane crash?
According to a report from A?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
Where was Greg Biffle’s plane going when it crashed?
The plane was scheduled to take off at Statesville Regional Airport and head to Sarasota, Florida before heading to the Bahamas. The aircraft was then scheduled to return to Florida, this time heading to Fort Lauderdale before returning to North Carolina.
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What kind of plane was Greg Biffle on?
The AP reported that Biffle was on a Cessna C550, otherwise known as a Citation II, a light or medium business jet.
Did Greg Biffle fly the plane?
More details about the plane crash have not yet been made public.
Was weather a factor in Greg Biffle’s plane crash?
It is unclear what caused Biffle’s plane to crash. However, AccuWeather’s vice president of forecasting operations, And DePodwinhas released a weather statement 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 of nearly 1,200 feet were reported at 10:15 a.m.,” the statement, shared with Us reading. “The cloud ceiling appears to have dropped to about 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 scrutinize after a plane crash. It can take months to a year or more for investigators to determine whether weather conditions contributed to the crash.”