Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife and two children were among seven killed when Biffle’s private jet crashed and exploded into flames while trying to land at a North Carolina airport Thursday morning.
The Cessna C500 went down at Statesville Regional Airport, which is frequented by NASCAR teams and Fortune 500 companies, just before 10:30 a.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
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Footage shot by WSOC-TV captured the aircraft entirely engulfed in flames as emergency crews rushed onto the runway.
Greg Biffle with his family in an undated photo. Instagram/Christina Biffle
Biffle, along with his wife, Cristina, 14-year-old daughter Emma and 5-year-old son Ryder died in the tragic wreck. Craig Wadsworth, a beloved figure in the NASCAR community, and Dennis Dutton and his son Jack were also identified as victims in the fatal plane crash, NASCAR confirmed.
“NASCAR is devastated by the tragic loss of Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emaa, son Ryder, Craig Wadsworth and Dennis and Jack Dutton in a fatal plane crash,” the organization told The Post in a statement.
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“Greg was more than a champion driver, he was a beloved member of the NASCAR community, a fierce competitor, and a friend to so many. His passion for racing, his integrity, and his commitment to fans and fellow competitors alike made a lasting impact on the sport.”
Biffle — a 55-year-old semi-retired NASCAR driver and humanitarian affectionately known as “The Biff” — owned the plane through GB Aviation Leasing, public records show.
NASCAR star Greg Biffle poses with his family in an undated photo on his Instagram. Instagram/Christina Biffle
“Beyond his racing career, he gave of himself for the betterment of our community. Most notably, Greg spent countless hours of his time helping the citizens of North Carolina during the disasters that followed Hurricane Helene,” the statement continued.
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“His tireless work saved lives. Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Greg’s entire family, friends, and all who were touched by his life.”
North Carolina Rep. Richard Hudson also remembered Biffle and his wife for their humanitarian efforts, noting the couple flew “hundreds of rescue missions” in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene pounded the region last September.
The devastated pol said he last spoke with Cristina a few weeks ago when she asked how she could help with relief efforts in Jamaica.
“They were friends who lived their lives focused on helping others,” Hudson posted on X Thursday afternoon, calling Biffle a “great NASCAR champion who thrilled millions of fans.”
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“But he was an extraordinary person as well, and will be remembered for this service to others as much as for his fearlessness on the track. That’s who the Biffles were. Our prayers are with their family, friends, and everyone grieving this unimaginable loss.”
A Cessna C550 business jet crashed while landing Thursday morning at the Statesville Regional Airport, the FAA confirmed. WSCOC-TV
Witnesses who were playing golf adjacent to the airport recalled dropping to the ground at the Lakewood Golf Club as the plane went overhead. X/thenewsdrill
Biffle — a 19-time winner on NASCAR’s Cup series and a one-time Busch series champion — made headlines last year for piloting his privately owned chopper to make a daring, caught-on-camera rescue of a trapped Hurricane Helene victim.
The NASCAR Hall of Fame nominees’ motorsports-personality pal, Garrett Mitchell, claimed in a social media post that the racing favorite and his family were flying to see him in Florida.
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“Unfortunately, I can confirm Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma and son Ryder were on that plane,” Mitchell wrote on Facebook, where he has previously posted messages to the family.
“Because they were on their way to spend the afternoon with us. We are devastated. I’m so sorry to share this.”
The wreck took place at Statesville Regional Airport on Thursday. Facebook/Statesville Regional Airport
Mitchell is Facebook friends with the family, with other friends writing on Cristina Biffle’s page begging her to answer her phone and praying that the news is not true.
Former NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace also claimed on X that Wadsworth, Biffle’s assistant and the executive chef for Michael Waltrip Racing, was also on board the doomed plane.
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“Craig Wadsworth drove of our motorhome for six years,” Wallace said in the solemn post, which included a picture of Wadsworth posing with the former racer’s family.
Trump takes a selfie with Greg Biffle and Richard Petty on Feb. 16, 2025. Getty Images
“Our family is heart broke right now. He died on the airplane. I will be giving my thoughts at a later date.”
The FAA initially said there were six passengers on the private jet, but police later confirmed the seven people on board all perished in the devastating wreck.
The grief-stricken families of the seven victims issued a joint statement, saying Thursday’s tragedy has left them all “heartbroken beyond words.”
“We are devastated by the loss of our loved ones,” the statement said.
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“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. At this moment, our focus is honoring their lives and supporting one another.”
The plane — which costs at least $2 million — had taken off from the regional airport, located about 45 miles north of Charlotte, just after 10 a.m. but quickly turned around after failing to even make it to 2,000 feet, FlightAware data show.
NASCAR driver Greg Biffle poses with his family in an undated social media photo. Facebook/greg Biffle
Witnesses who were playing golf adjacent to the airport recalled dropping to the ground at the Lakewood Golf Club as the plane went overhead.
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“We were like, ‘Oh my gosh! That’s way too low,’” said Joshua Green of Mooresville, adding that there was debris all over the ninth hole.
“It was scary.”
AccuWeather reported there was drizzle and clouds around the airport at the time of the crash.
The jet was scheduled to leave Sarasota, Florida, for Treasure Cay International Airport in the Bahamas before returning to Fort Lauderdale and then continuing on to Statesville later that night, flight data showed.
The city-owned airport “provides corporate aviation facilities for Fortune 500 companies and several NASCAR teams,” according to its website.
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The airport has remained closed since the deadly crash.
It’s unclear what caused the wreck.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating.
With Post wires
