Greg Biffle, one of NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers who became known in his later years for his humanitarian work, died along with three family members in a plane crash Thursday. He was 55. Biffle was one of seven people killed when a small plane crashed at Statesville Regional Airport at around 10:15 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 18. Biffle's wife Cristina, son Ryder and daughter Emma also died in the crash. Others on board were Dennis Dutton and his son, Jack, and Craig Wadsworth.
The 1981 manufactured Cessna Citation 550 plane took off at about 10:05 a.m. on Thursday from the Statesville Regional Airport. According to preliminary data, the airplane made an initial left turn to the west, followed by another left turn back to the east toward the airport approximately five minutes after takeoff. The plane then flew a left base turn to a runway before hitting a runway light stanchion, the initial point of impact. Pictures and videos of the crash aftermath showed the airplane in a ball of fire after it hit the ground.
A passenger onboard the plane frantically texted a family member before the tragedy. The text read: Emergency landing, according to Michael Graham, a National Safety Transportation Board member. Graham did not identify the passenger, or the family member they texted. No mayday call reached air traffic control. The NTSB officials said they do not know who was flying the plane, but that there were three people onboard with pilot's licenses.
Golfers playing next to the airport were shocked as they witnessed the disaster, even dropping to the ground at the Lakewood Golf Club while the plane was overhead. First Sergeant Chris Knox of the North Carolina Highway Patrol confirmed the death of the Biffle family and added it was one of the worst crashes he had ever seen. The post crash fire consumed the fuselage completely, making immediate identification difficult.
YouTube star and part time NASCAR racer Garrett Mitchell, known as Cleetus McFarland, posted to Facebook that Biffle and his family were headed to visit Mitchell and his family. What was meant to be a short trip to Florida became a tragedy witnessed by dozens from a nearby golf course.
Biffle hailed from Vancouver, Washington. He first drew Roush's attention after his success in the annual offseason Winter Heat series of late model races in Tucson, Arizona, with Hall of Famer Benny Parsons urging him to take note. His winning ways continued with a 2001 move to the Busch Series, and he was crowned champion the following year. Biffle broke through with a triumph at Daytona International Speedway as a rookie, holding off teammate Jeff Burton in the summertime 400 miler.
Across those 515 Cup starts, the 55 year old Biffle collected 19 wins and 175 top 10s. He won at least one race in each of his first six Cup Series seasons, finishing a career best second in the standings after a five win year in 2005. He was best known for driving Roush Fenway Racing's No. 16 Ford. Biffle and Roush parted ways after the No. 16 Ford team's 2016 campaign, with the veteran driver expressing his appreciation for an incredible run together.
What defined Biffle's later years wasn't racing. After Helene ravaged much of Western North Carolina in late September 2024, Biffle was one of many helicopter pilots who flew recovery supplies into storm affected areas. It's been busy, a lot of seat time in the helicopter, more than I ever would have imagined in my life, Biffle said in an October 2024 interview. But it feels good to be able to get supplies and things in need into these people that need the help the most, that are still cut off. Those missions saved lives. The irony that he died in an aircraft while helping others wasn't lost on anyone who knew him.
Biffle survived a plane crash at Blue Grass Airport in Kentucky in March 2011. A mechanical failure while landing caused the aircraft to skip and skid to a stop on the runway, and he credited the pilot at the time with keeping the plane under control. He walked away from that one. Thursday offered no second chance.
The families of those involved released a statement Thursday afternoon: We are devastated by the loss of our loved ones. This tragedy has left all of our families heartbroken beyond words. Greg and Cristina were devoted parents and active philanthropists whose lives were centered around their young son Ryder and Greg's daughter Emma. Wadsworth was Biffle's friend and helped him with odd jobs, including delivering supplies to places hit by Hurricane Helene. The Duttons were close friends planning what should have been an afternoon outing.
NASCAR issued a statement calling Biffle more than a champion driver, 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. Most notably, Greg spent countless hours of his time helping the citizens of North Carolina during the disasters that followed Hurricane Helene. His tireless work saved lives.
One of the black boxes from the Cessna C550 was found and taken to Washington, D.C., where it is being inspected. A team of 16 NTSB experts arrived on scene Thursday night and have been gathering evidence and working on determining a probable cause. A preliminary report on the crash is expected within 30 days, but a final report will take 12 to 18 months. Investigators will determine what went wrong. That won't bring anyone back.
Biffle's 19 Cup wins and championships in Trucks and Xfinity feel distant against this sudden end. The track will remember his grit through the Roush years. Family and friends mourn a man who traded spotlights for private flights and family time, who flew helicopters into disaster zones when others stayed home, who built a life beyond racing that mattered more than any checkered flag. The investigation grinds on. The families bury their dead. And Statesville Regional Airport remains closed while federal officials comb through wreckage scattered across fairways and tarmac, searching for answers that won't change the outcome.
