A wrongful death lawsuit alleges negligence by the pilot and others contributed to the 2025 plane crash that killed Greg Biffle, his wife, son and daughter.
A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed following the December 2025 private jet crash that killed former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife, their two children and three others, alleging a series of safety failures led to the fatal accident.
Nicole Biffle, the mother of 14-year-old Emma Elizabeth Biffle and administrator of her estate, filed the complaint May 13, alleging negligence and gross negligence by multiple parties contributed to the crash.
According to the lawsuit, Emma was experiencing flu-like symptoms and was reluctant to join the trip to Florida and the Bahamas, but ultimately boarded the flight with her father, his wife, their 5-year-old son and a family friend.
The complaint alleges pilot Dennis Dutton failed to follow multiple aviation safety procedures before and during the flight. Among the allegations are that he departed without required flight clearances despite deteriorating weather conditions, failed to complete pre-flight safety checks and ignored warning indicators and engine power discrepancies.
The aircraft, a Cessna Citation 550 owned by GB Aviation Leasing LLC, allegedly experienced electrical problems after generators were not properly activated, resulting in instrument malfunctions and the loss of autopilot capability, according to the lawsuit.
The complaint claims the pilot then attempted a dangerous low-altitude approach back to the airport despite the aircraft’s reported problems.
According to the lawsuit, the jet struck approach lights before reaching the runway, then collided with trees and burst into flames. All seven people aboard were killed.
The defendants named in the lawsuit include the estate of Dennis Dutton, GB Aviation Leasing LLC and the estate of Greg Biffle.
The lawsuit seeks damages for wrongful death, pain and suffering, loss of companionship and other claims.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the aircraft crashed less than 10 minutes after takeoff while attempting to return to the airport. Investigators previously recovered the cockpit voice recorder and have been reviewing the flight crew’s qualifications, weather conditions and the aircraft’s performance before the crash.
Biffle, 55, was one of NASCAR’s most successful drivers, winning more than 50 races across the sport’s top three national series, including championships in the Truck Series and Xfinity Series. He was among seven people killed in the crash along with his wife Cristina, children Emma and Ryder, pilots Dennis and Jack Dutton, and family friend Craig Wadsworth.