Summary (tl;dr)

Retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, and their two children were among seven people killed when a Cessna C550 business jet crashed at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina on Thursday, December 18, 2025. The plane, owned by a company run by Biffle, crashed while attempting to land.

Essential Background

Greg Biffle, 55, was a highly successful American professional stock car racing driver, known for winning championships in both the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (2000) and the NASCAR Busch Series (2002), and recording 19 wins in the NASCAR Cup Series. He was also recognized for his humanitarian efforts, including aid after Hurricane Helene in 2024. Biffle was an experienced pilot, and the plane involved in the crash, a Cessna C550 Citation II, was registered to his company, GB Aviation Leasing.

The Full Story

On Thursday, December 18, 2025, a business jet carrying seven people, including Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, and their children Ryder and Emma, crashed at Statesville Regional Airport in Statesville, North Carolina. The Cessna C550 had departed from the airport earlier that morning and was returning for a landing when it crashed around 10:15 a.m. EST, erupting into a large fire upon impact. In addition to the Biffle family, Dennis Dutton, his son Jack Dutton, and Craig Wadsworth were also killed in the tragic incident. Authorities, including the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), are investigating the cause of the crash. The Statesville Regional Airport was closed indefinitely following the accident.

Why It Matters

The news of Greg Biffle's death, along with his family, has sent shockwaves through the NASCAR community and beyond, prompting an outpouring of condolences and tributes for the beloved driver and humanitarian. The sudden loss of a prominent figure in motorsports, particularly one known for his family values and philanthropic work, has deeply saddened fans and colleagues. The incident also draws attention to aviation safety, as federal agencies investigate the circumstances of the crash.

Geographic Location

• Statesville Regional Airport, Statesville, Iredell County, North Carolina, United States (plane crash)