Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife, and their two children were among six people killed after a private jet he owned crashed at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina on Thursday, U.S. Congressman Richard Hudson confirmed.
The crash occurred at approximately 10:15 a.m. ET, according to authorities. Biffle was 55. Those killed were identified as his wife Cristina, their 14-year-old daughter Emma, and their five-year-old son Ryder.
What Authorities Have Confirmed
According to reports, the aircraft went down at Statesville Regional Airport, a facility frequently used by NASCAR teams and Fortune 500 companies. WSOC reported that Biffle owned the aircraft involved in the crash.
Congressman Hudson said he was “devastated by the loss of Greg, Cristina, and their children,” describing them as friends who lived their lives focused on helping others.
“Greg was a great NASCAR champion who thrilled millions of fans,” Hudson said. “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.”
Greg Biffle’s NASCAR Career
Known as “The Biff,” Greg Biffle enjoyed a highly successful NASCAR career and was later nominated for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. He was also named among NASCAR’s 75 greatest drivers.
Biffle won Rookie of the Year honors in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 1998 and secured the series championship in 2000. He later earned Rookie of the Year in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2001 and won its championship in 2002, becoming the first driver to win titles in both series.
Between 2002 and 2016, Biffle recorded 19 victories across 515 starts in the NASCAR Cup Series, finishing second overall in 2015.
Aviation and Humanitarian Work
Beyond racing, Biffle was known for his interest in aviation and humanitarian efforts. In a post on X last October, he described helping locate and assist a stranded individual in mountainous terrain after multiple difficult landing attempts, delivering essential supplies including medication, food, and fuel.
What May Have Led to the Crash
Dan DePodwin, AccuWeather’s vice president of forecasting, said weather conditions were adverse around Statesville Regional Airport at the time of the flight. Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft was en route to Florida and the Bahamas before attempting to return.
AccuWeather data indicated cloudy skies and rainfall around 10:00 a.m. Reports suggest that within 15 minutes of departure, the aircraft tried to return and crashed on the runway at about 10:15 a.m.
“Weather conditions are often a critical factor that investigators carefully review after a plane crash,” DePodwin said, noting that it may take months or longer to determine whether weather played a role.
Where Is Statesville Regional Airport?
Statesville Regional Airport is owned by the city and primarily serves corporate aviation, including operations for Fortune 500 companies and several NASCAR teams. The airport is located near the Interstates 77 and 40 interchange, about 10 minutes from downtown Statesville.
