Retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, 55, along with his wife and two children, has died in a plane crash at Statesville Regional Airport, local authorities and multiple sources confirmed Thursday. The tragic accident occurred around 10:15 a.m. while the aircraft, a Cessna Citation 550 business jet, was attempting to land in foggy weather conditions, according to federal and local reports.
The jet, registered to GB Aviation Leasing LLC, a company associated with Biffle, departed earlier in the morning on what officials described as a flight toward Florida before returning to Statesville and crashing upon approach. Six people on board were killed, including Biffle, his wife Cristina, their 5‑year‑old son Ryder, and his 14‑year‑old daughter Emma from a previous marriage, according to close friend and racing personality Garrett “Cleetus McFarland” Mitchell.
“I am devastated to share this,” Mitchell wrote on social media, saying the family was en route to visit him when the crash occurred. Authorities have not yet publicly released the official identities of the victims as part of the ongoing investigation.
First responders found the aircraft engulfed in flames on the runway after the impact. Weather conditions near the airport were described as cloudy with limited visibility at the time of the accident. Emergency crews and federal investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are examining the wreckage to determine the cause.
Biffle, a highly respected competitor in NASCAR, earned championships in both the Busch (now Xfinity) Series and the Craftsman Truck Series during his career, alongside 19 Cup Series victories, and was recognized as one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers. Since retiring from full‑time racing—though he made occasional starts as recently as 2022—he remained active in motorsports and his community.
Beyond racing, Biffle was known for his humanitarian efforts, including piloting aircraft in relief missions following hurricanes in the Southeast U.S. His sudden death, along with that of his family and others aboard, has prompted an outpouring of grief from the racing community and fans worldwide.
The investigation into the crash remains underway, and officials have pledged to release further information as it becomes available.
