A family friend confirmed that Biffle and his family were among those onboard a business jet that crashed Thursday.
WASHINGTON — Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle was among seven people killed in a North Carolina plane crash on Thursday, the North Carolina Highway Patrol confirmed.
A family friend had confirmed earlier that Biffle and his family were among those on board a business jet that crashed Thursday while landing at a regional airport in Statesville, North Carolina.
The Federal Aviation Administration said a Cessna C550 crashed while landing at Statesville Regional Airport around 10:20 a.m. Thursday. The National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA are investigating.
Garrett Mitchell, whose internet personality is Cleetus McFarland, confirmed that Biffle, along with his wife, Cristina and two children, were on the plane. Mitchell said the family was flying down to Florida to visit him. McFarland and Biffle became friends when Biffle organized flights to carry relief supplies to Hurricane Helene victims in western North Carolina.
“Unfortunately, I can confirm Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, and son Ryder were on that plane,” Mitchell posted on Facebook. “Because they were on their way to spend the afternoon with us. We are devastated. I’m so sorry to share this.”
Former NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace said on X that Craig Wadsworth, who he identified as his motorhome driver for six years, died in the plane crash too.
In addition to the Biffle’s family and Wadsworth, Dennis Dutton and his son Jack were also identified as victims.
“We are devastated by the loss of our loved ones. This tragedy has left all of our families heartbroken beyond words,” a joint statement shared by the families of the victims said. “Each of them meant everything to us, and their absence leaves an immeasurable void in our lives.”
“We ask for privacy, compassion and understanding as we grieve and begin to process this unimaginable loss. We are grateful for the kindness and support that has been extended to our families during this incredibly difficult time,” the statement continued. “At this moment, our focus is on honoring their lives and supporting one another.”
According to our Charlotte” sister station WCNC, FAA registration indicates the plane’s tail number, N257BW, is owned by GB Aviation Leasing, a company owned by Biffle. Officials have not provided any details on who may have been on board the plane.
“I can confirm there were fatalities,” Iredell County Sheriff Grant Campbell said, though he declined to say how many.
The airport says on its website that Statesville Regional Airport provides corporate aviation facilities for Fortune 500 companies and several NASCAR teams.
Statesville is about 45 miles north of Charlotte.
WCNC Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich shared an animation of the flight path. The plane immediately turned around and tried to land. It crashed while attempting to land back at the airport.
The plane had planned to fly later from Sarasota, Florida, to Treasure Cay International Airport in the Bahamas before returning to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and then to Statesville by evening, data showed.
Photos and videos from the scene showed the plane engulfed in flames.