NTSB: Biffle jet turned back toward Statesville; passenger texted 'Emergency landing' before fatal crash
The NTSB says a Cessna C550 (N257BW) registered to GB Aviation, owned by former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, departed Statesville around 10:05 a.m., began turning back about five minutes later and crashed short of the runway while attempting to land in light drizzle, erupting in a massive fire that killed all seven aboard, including Biffle, his wife and two children. Investigators, led by the NTSB with FAA assistance, recovered the plane’s recorders, say three people on board held pilot licenses though it’s not yet known who was at the controls, and confirmed they are aware of a brief passenger text reading “Emergency landing” sent shortly before the impact.
📌 Key Facts
- The aircraft was a Cessna C550 (tail number N257BW) registered to GB Aviation (GB Aviation Leasing LLC), a company owned by former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle.
- The jet departed Statesville Regional Airport about 10:05 a.m. ET, began turning back toward the airport roughly five minutes after takeoff, and crashed about 10 minutes after departure while attempting to land/return to Statesville.
- The airplane struck runway approach lights and trees approximately 1,800 feet from the approach end and crashed short of the runway, erupting into a large/massive fire captured on video and doorbell-style camera footage.
- All seven people aboard were killed: Greg Biffle (55); his wife Cristina; their children Emma (14) and Ryder (5); pilot Dennis Dutton; Dennis’ son Jack Dutton; and Craig Wadsworth.
- Investigators say three people onboard held pilot licenses (Dennis Dutton—type‑rated for the Cessna C550—Greg Biffle, and Jack Dutton), but it is not yet known who was at the controls or which crewing configuration applied; experts have noted only Dennis Dutton held the required type rating for the jet.
- NTSB investigators recovered the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder and have sent them to the NTSB laboratory in Washington for analysis; the NTSB is leading the investigation with the FAA involved.
- NTSB officials said they are aware of brief passenger communications from the aircraft: Cristina Biffle texted her mother "We're in trouble" (and an automatic iPhone SOS crash alert was received), and investigators confirmed one brief passenger text reading "Emergency landing"; officials are not aware of any mayday radio call.
- Weather at the time was reported as drizzle/light rain (descriptions include heavy drizzle), with visibility around five miles and minimal wind; enhanced tracking data show no other aircraft in the area.
- Officials said the investigation is in its early stages; the NTSB’s preliminary report is expected in about 30 days and a final report typically takes 12–18 months. Witnesses at a nearby golf course reported the jet flying unusually low and debris was found on the course.
📊 Relevant Data
The fatal accident rate for general aviation is 1.049 accidents per 100,000 flight hours, which represents an improvement compared to 2010 but is still significantly higher than commercial aviation rates.
General Aviation Safety Statistics — LifeLine Pilots
Fuel exhaustion accounts for 56% of fuel-related accidents in general aviation, while fuel starvation is responsible for 35%.
NTSB Safety Alert 67 / Flying on Empty — National Transportation Safety Board
Having two pilots on the flight deck enhances aviation safety by providing redundancy, allowing for cross-checking, and better management of malfunctions or emergencies.
Two Pilots on the Flight Deck — Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA)
The Cessna Citation II has been involved in 13 accidents resulting in 51 fatalities since 1989.
NTSB Starts Probe of Cessna Citation II Fatal Accident in Texas — Aviation International News
📰 Sources (15)
WATCH: NTSB gives update on investigation into jet crash that killed Greg Biffle and 6 others
New information:
- NTSB board member Michael Graham publicly confirmed the agency is aware of a brief passenger text message from onboard reading "emergency landing" sent to a family member.
- Graham stated investigators are still determining which pilot was in the left seat and do not yet know who was acting as lead pilot at the time of the crash.
- The NTSB said it began examining the wreckage on Friday to help determine the cause of the crash and why the aircraft attempted to return in drizzle and cloudy conditions.
- The article reiterates that there were three licensed pilots on board (Greg Biffle, Dennis Dutton, and Jack Dutton) and that Biffle was rated to fly helicopters plus single‑ and multi‑engine planes, with the jet registered to a company he ran.
NTSB reveals distressing message passenger sent before NASCAR star Greg Biffle's fatal plane crash
New information:
- NTSB board member Michael Graham confirmed the agency is aware of one brief text message from a passenger to a family member that read, 'Emergency landing.'
- Graham clarified that investigators are not aware of any other communications from passengers on board to people on the ground.
- He reiterated that the circumstances leading the aircraft to attempt to return to Statesville Regional Airport are now a central focus of the investigation.
NTSB investigates jet crash that killed former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and 6 others
New information:
- Confirms there were three licensed pilots on board: pilot Dennis Dutton (type-rated for the Cessna C550), Greg Biffle (licensed for helicopters and single- and multi‑engine planes but not type‑rated for this jet), and Dutton’s son Jack (licensed only for single‑engine planes).
- Raises specific crew-qualification questions: only Dennis Dutton held the required type rating; no one else had a second‑in‑command type rating for the C550, prompting expert concerns over whether the crew configuration complied with requirements.
- Reports that Cristina Biffle texted her mother 'We’re in trouble' shortly before the crash, indicating the occupants were aware of an in‑flight problem.
- Notes investigators are not aware of any emergency radio calls from the jet before impact, according to NTSB member Michael Graham.
- Provides additional expert analysis from aviation safety specialists John Cox and Jeff Guzzetti on the fluctuating altitude profile, low approach, and possible reasons for the lack of a mayday call.
- Clarifies that investigators have recovered the cockpit voice recorder, which could reveal more about the crew’s actions and the nature of the emergency.
- Identifies all victims by role/relationship: Greg and Cristina Biffle; their children Ryder (5) and Emma (14); pilot Dennis Dutton; his son Jack; and Biffle’s friend Craig Wadsworth.
Greg Biffle’s Plane Turned Back Minutes After Takeoff
New information:
- NTSB member Michael Graham said the jet was airborne for only about five minutes before it began turning back to Statesville Regional Airport.
- Witnesses reported the Cessna C550 was flying "remarkably low" on its return to the airport.
- Graham said the plane began striking runway approach lights and trees roughly 1,800 feet from the approach end of the runway before crashing short of it.
- Weather at the time was described as heavy drizzle with no wind and roughly five miles of visibility.
- Enhanced tracking data showed no other aircraft in the area, and investigators are not aware of any mayday call.
- NTSB confirmed recovery of the cockpit voice recorder, which is being transported to NTSB headquarters in Washington for analysis.
- Investigators said three people aboard held pilot licenses, but it is not yet known who was at the controls.
Fiery plane crash that killed NASCAR legend Greg Biffle and family captured in new devastating video
New information:
- Doorbell/doorbell-style video shows the burning Cessna C550 crashing back onto the runway at Statesville Regional Airport, leaving a massive blaze.
- The aircraft is confirmed as registered to GB Aviation LLC, a company owned by Greg Biffle.
- The full passenger list is provided: Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, their 14-year-old daughter Emma, their 5-year-old son Ryder, and Dennis and Jack Dutton and Craig Wadsworth.
- The seven-person flight was en route from Statesville to the Bahamas via a stop in Sarasota, Florida when it diverted back and crashed.
- Timeline detail: the jet departed around 10:05 a.m. ET, began turning back about five minutes after takeoff, and crashed roughly 10 minutes after departure.
- North Carolina officials including Gov. Josh Stein, Rep. Pat Harrigan and Rep. Richard Hudson publicly issued condolences, highlighting Biffle’s prior hurricane-relief work.
- NASCAR and fellow drivers such as Jeff Gordon released formal statements praising Biffle’s career and community service.
NTSB says pilot in fatal North Carolina plane crash that killed NASCAR's Greg Biffle not yet identified
New information:
- NTSB board member Michael Graham said that although three people aboard the Cessna C550 were licensed pilots, investigators have not yet determined which person was piloting the aircraft at the time of the crash.
- NTSB Investigator-In-Charge Dan Baker stated the plane took off from Statesville around 10:05 a.m. ET, began turning back to the airport about five minutes after takeoff, and crashed roughly 10 minutes after departure.
- Investigators have recovered the aircraft’s flight data recorder (‘black box’) from the crash scene and sent it to Washington, D.C., for analysis.
- NTSB officials said weather at the time was relatively calm with only light rain and declined to identify any suspected cause, emphasizing that a preliminary report will take about 30 days and a final report 12–18 months.
Greg Biffle's wife texted "we're in trouble" before crash, relative says
New information:
- Christina Biffle texted her mother, Cathy Grossu, during the flight saying they were in trouble and making an emergency landing shortly before the crash.
- Grossu received an automatic iPhone SOS crash alert after that final text, reinforcing the timing of the impact.
- North Carolina State Highway Patrol confirmed the Cessna C550 had departed Statesville Regional Airport and was returning to the airport on reapproach when it crashed, though the reason is still unknown.
- FlightAware tracking data, cited in the article, show the plane departing and then looping back toward the airport.
- The article provides on‑record identification and recollections of victim Dennis and Jack Dutton and Craig Wadsworth as part of the seven killed, plus personal background on Emma and Ryder.
- Family statements describe Ryder’s recent request to open Christmas presents and his dream of becoming an F1 driver, underscoring the human impact of the crash.
Retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, wife and kids killed in fiery plane crash
New information:
- Confirms that all seven people aboard the small plane died when it crashed while landing at a North Carolina airport.
- Restates that Greg Biffle, his wife, and their children were among the victims of the fiery crash.
- Frames the event as occurring during landing, reinforcing the phase of flight involved.
Greg Biffle's wife sent worrying text message moments before plane crashed
New information:
- Greg Biffle’s wife, Cristina Grossu Biffle, texted her mother from the plane saying, "We're in trouble" moments before the crash.
- The family group on board was flying to the Bahamas for a birthday trip, with a planned stop in Sarasota, Florida, before heading to the islands.
- The article names all seven victims: Greg Biffle; his wife Cristina; their son Ryder; his daughter Emma; Dennis Dutton; Dennis’ son Jack; and Craig Wadsworth.
- Biffle’s mother‑in‑law, Cathy Grossu, gave an on‑the‑record account to People magazine describing the final text and the family’s plans.
- Families of the victims released a joint public statement describing their devastation and requesting privacy while they grieve.
Who was Greg Biffle? Former NASCAR driver who helped hurricane victims dies in plane crash with family members
New information:
- Confirms Biffle was 55 years old and details his NASCAR record: 19 Cup Series wins, 20 Xfinity wins and 17 Craftsman Truck Series wins, including championships in Trucks (2000) and Xfinity (2002).
- Provides specific biographical racing milestones, such as his best Cup season in 2005 (six wins, second in standings) and his first Cup win at the 2003 Pepsi 400 at Daytona.
- Describes his post‑racing humanitarian work using his piloting skills during Hurricane Helene, including delivering Starlink internet and supplies and locating a stranded family via a signal mirror.
- Includes an extended official statement from NASCAR highlighting Biffle’s philanthropy and saying his "tireless work saved lives."
Police say retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and family were killed in North Carolina plane crash
New information:
- North Carolina state police say it is believed that Greg Biffle and members of his immediate family were occupants of the plane and among the seven people who died, although a full definitive list is pending due to the post-crash fire.
- Authorities confirm seven fatalities in the crash and describe the jet as erupting into a large fire when it hit the ground while attempting to land at Statesville Regional Airport.
- The article provides on-the-record witness accounts from golfers at the adjacent Lakewood Golf Club who saw the jet flying unusually low and debris covering the ninth hole.
- The story specifies that AccuWeather reported drizzle and clouds at the time of the crash and reiterates that the NTSB and FAA are investigating.
- FlightAware data cited in the article detail the jet’s planned itinerary for the day, including a later flight path from Sarasota, Florida, to Treasure Cay in the Bahamas, then to Fort Lauderdale and back to Statesville.
Airplane linked to former NASCAR star Greg Biffle crashes in North Carolina
New information:
- The crashed aircraft is identified as a Cessna C550 with tail number N257BW.
- Federal aviation records show the jet is owned by GB Aviation Leasing LLC, a company owned by former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle.
- FAA confirms the C550 crashed around 10:20 a.m. ET while landing, and that the FAA and NTSB are investigating with NTSB in the lead.
- An Iredell County Sheriff’s Office official told Fox News Digital the small jet had taken off shortly after 10 a.m. before crashing.
- Officials at a news conference confirmed there were fatalities but have not yet released the number of victims or identities.
Massive fire after small plane crashes in North Carolina
New information:
- CBS/WBTV confirm the crash occurred while the business jet was landing at an airport in Statesville, North Carolina.
- The article emphasizes that the crash resulted in a 'massive fire' at the airport.
- Reiterates that local affiliate WBTV is providing the latest confirmed details, underscoring that this is an active, unfolding investigation.