The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the Thursday morning crash in North Carolina.

A passenger onboard the plane that crashed Thursday morning, killing former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, frantically texted a family member before the tragedy.

The text read: “Emergency landing,” according to Michael Graham, an National Safety Transportation Board member, who spoke at a news briefing Saturday. Graham did not identify the passenger, or the family member they texted.

“We are not aware of any other communications from passengers onboard the aircraft to those on the ground,” Graham said.

One of the black boxes from the Cessna C550 was found and taken to Washington, D.C., where it is being inspected, Graham added. The NTSB also obtained the aircraft's maintenance log, which keeps a record of the maintenance and repairs performed on the plane.

NTSB officials also shared some additional details on the moments before the Thursday morning crash. The aircraft reportedly departed a runway at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina 10 minutes before the accident, then made a left turn, followed by another left turn back toward the airport about five minutes into the flight.

“The initial point of impact was a runway light stanchion located about 1,800 feet from the runway threshold,” said Senior Air Safety Investigator Dan Baker. “The airplane subsequently impacted trees, two other runway light stanchions and the airport perimeter fence short of the runway threshold before coming to rest near the runway threshold.”

The aircraft crashed at about 10:15 a.m. while trying to land on another runway, Graham said.

“We believe the plane was turning back to the airport immediately, maybe for some kind of issue,” Graham said. “At this point, we are not aware if there was an actual issue or not.”

No mayday call was issued by the aircraft, Graham said. The aircraft was manufactured in 1981 by the Cessna Aircraft Company, according to Baker.

After impact, a fire consumed the majority of the aircraft's fuselage and its wings near the fuselage, Baker said

“All four corners of the airplane and flight control surfaces have been identified in the wreckage and the debris field, both engines were present with the main wreckage,” according to Baker.

According to the NTSB, the wind was calm, but there were low ceilings and heavy rain at the time of the crash, which the administration is looking into as a potential cause. Officials confirmed that seven people were killed in the crash, but did not identify any of the victims.

It is believed that Biffle, his wife and two children were on the plane when it crashed, according to 1st Sgt. Chris Knox of the North Carolina Highway Patrol. Three other people, identified as Craig Wadsworth, Dennis Dutton and his son Jack Dutton, were also on the flight.

The NTSB officials said they do not know who was flying the plane, but that there were three people onboard with pilot's licenses.

A team of 16 NTSB experts arrived on scene Thursday night and have been gathering evidence and working on determining a probable cause. They will stay in North Carolina as long as they believe is necessary to gather evidence for the investigation, Graham said. The team has spoken to witnesses and gathered statements, and is continuing to do so, Graham said on Saturday.

“I want to emphasize, this is the beginning of a very long process, and we will not jump to any conclusions while we're here on scene in North Carolina, nor will we speculate,” Graham said.

The NTSB expects to submit a preliminary report in 30 days, and a full investigation after a year to 18 months.

The Federal Aviation Administration, the manufacturer of the aircraft, Textron Aviation, and the engine's manufacturer, Pratt & Whitney Canada are all assisting in the investigation, Graham said.

Graham is asking anyone with video or pictures of the crash to contact the NTSB.

Tragic Plane Crash Claims Life of Former NASCAR Champion Greg Biffle and Six Others

Statesville, North Carolina – December 24, 2025

The NASCAR community and aviation world remain in shock following the devastating plane crash on December 18, 2025, that claimed the lives of retired racing legend Greg Biffle, his family members, and three others. The incident occurred at Statesville Regional Airport, a facility popular among NASCAR teams and corporate aviators, located about 40 miles north of Charlotte.

Greg Biffle, aged 55, was a prominent figure in NASCAR, celebrated as one of the organization's 75 Greatest Drivers. Born in Vancouver, Washington, Biffle rose through the ranks, winning championships in the Truck Series (2000) and Busch Series (now Xfinity, 2002) before achieving 19 victories in the Cup Series, primarily with Roush Fenway Racing. His career highlights included consistent competitiveness and a reputation as a fierce but fair competitor. Beyond racing, Biffle became known for his humanitarian efforts, notably using his personal helicopter to deliver supplies and rescue stranded residents in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene in 2024.

The ill-fated flight involved a 1981 Cessna Citation C550 business jet, registered to GB Aviation Leasing, a company owned by Biffle. The aircraft departed Statesville Regional Airport around 10:05 a.m., bound reportedly for Florida, with plans to visit YouTuber and racer Garrett Mitchell (known as Cleetus McFarland). However, just minutes after takeoff, the plane attempted an emergency return to the airport amid drizzle and low cloud ceilings.

According to National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) updates, the jet was airborne for approximately 10 minutes before turning back. It struck runway approach lights, trees, and a perimeter fence about 1,800 feet short of the runway, erupting into flames upon impact. All seven occupants perished: Greg Biffle; his wife, Cristina Grossu Biffle; their 5-year-old son, Ryder; Biffle's 14-year-old daughter, Emma (from a previous marriage); family friend and experienced pilot Dennis Dutton; Dutton's son, Jack (who held a private pilot license); and longtime associate Craig Wadsworth.

Investigators recovered the cockpit voice recorder (commonly referred to as the black box) from the wreckage, which has been sent for analysis in Washington, D.C. NTSB officials noted that the plane appeared configured for landing, with landing lights on and gear down, but was flying unusually low. No Mayday distress call was issued, though reports emerged of a passenger—believed to be Cristina Biffle—texting a family member about an “emergency landing” and that “we're in trouble” moments before the crash.

Three individuals on board held pilot licenses: Biffle (rated for helicopters and multi-engine planes), Dennis Dutton (an airline transport pilot), and Jack Dutton (single-engine rated). The NTSB is working to determine who was at the controls and the exact nature of the emergency that prompted the return. Weather conditions at the time included heavy drizzle and low visibility, but officials have not confirmed if it was a contributing factor. The aircraft's age (manufactured in 1981) has been mentioned, though well-maintained older planes are common in aviation.

The crash site revealed significant debris scattered across wooded areas near the runway, prompting a thorough NTSB investigation involving wreckage documentation, witness interviews, and component analysis. The engines were manufactured by Pratt & Whitney Canada, a subsidiary of the Connecticut-based Pratt & Whitney. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, with a full probe potentially taking 12-18 months.

In a joint statement, the victims' families expressed profound grief: “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.”

NASCAR issued a statement mourning the loss: “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.” Tributes poured in from across the racing world, including from Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon and North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, who highlighted Biffle's compassion during hurricane relief efforts.

The Statesville Regional Airport, which closed temporarily due to debris, reopened earlier this week. As the holiday season approaches, the tragedy serves as a somber reminder of life's fragility. Biffle, whose birthday was December 23, would have turned 56 just days after the crash.

The NTSB continues its on-site work, focusing on why the plane could not reach the runway despite appearing stable on approach. Aviation experts speculate on possible mechanical issues, spatial disorientation in poor visibility, or other factors, but emphasize that conclusions must await official findings.

This crash adds to NASCAR's unfortunate history with aviation incidents, underscoring the risks faced by those in the high-speed world of motorsports who often travel by private aircraft. The racing community unites in grief, remembering Biffle not just for his victories on the track but for his generosity off it.