On December 18, 2025, a devastating aviation accident at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina claimed the lives of seven people, including retired NASCAR champion Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina Grossu Biffle, their young son Ryder, Biffle's teenage daughter Emma from a previous marriage, and three others: Craig Wadsworth, Dennis Dutton, and his son Jack Dutton. What began as a routine flight quickly turned tragic, with the plane crashing shortly after takeoff.
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Greg Biffle, 55, was a celebrated figure in NASCAR, earning 19 Cup Series wins, the 2000 Truck Series championship, and the 2002 Xfinity Series title. Nicknamed “The Biff,” he was named one of NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023. In recent years, Biffle gained admiration for his humanitarian efforts, using his helicopter to deliver supplies and aid victims after Hurricane Helene in 2024.
The aircraft was a 1981 Cessna Citation C550 (registration N257BW), registered to Biffle's company, GB Aviation Leasing, LLC. It took off around 10:05-10:06 a.m., bound reportedly for Florida or a birthday-related trip (Biffle was approaching his 56th birthday on December 23). Flight data indicates the plane climbed briefly before turning back toward the airport approximately 4-5 minutes into the flight. It crashed around 10:15 a.m. while attempting an emergency return, impacting short of the runway, striking lights, trees, and a fence before erupting in flames.
Three occupants held pilot licenses: Biffle (rated for single- and multi-engine planes and helicopters), Dennis Dutton (qualified for this model, though requiring a co-pilot), and possibly another. The NTSB has not determined who was at the controls. No mayday call was issued, though Cristina Biffle texted her mother “We're in trouble” moments before impact, followed by an automatic SOS alert.
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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, with a preliminary report expected within 30 days and a full report in 12-18 months. As of December 21, 2025, investigators have recovered the cockpit voice recorder (sent for analysis), examined wreckage, and reviewed maintenance logs. Weather conditions—heavy drizzle, low ceilings (around 1,200 feet broken), and reduced visibility—are under scrutiny as potential factors. Aviation experts have speculated on rapid weather changes influencing the decision to return, but no official cause has been determined.
Claims circulating online of a “deadly combination of technical problems, deteriorating weather, and human error” resulting in “4 minutes of no chance of survival” are unsubstantiated. No credible sources, including NTSB updates, major news outlets (NASCAR.com, ABC News, USA Today, BBC, The New York Times), or aviation reports, attribute the crash to confirmed human error or specify an exact timeline precluding survival. The flight duration was approximately 10 minutes total, with the return initiated 4-5 minutes in. Sensational headlines alleging a definitive cause are premature and misleading, as the investigation remains in its early stages.
A joint family statement expressed profound grief: “We are devastated by the loss of our loved ones. This tragedy has left all 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.”
Tributes flooded in from the NASCAR community. NASCAR called Biffle “more than a champion driver; he was a beloved member… a fierce competitor, and a friend to so many.” Team owner Jack Roush described him as a “dear friend and partner.” Others highlighted his post-Helene heroism, earning him the 2024 Myers Brothers Award.
This crash adds to a somber history of aviation incidents in motorsports, reminding us of the risks faced by those who fly privately. Biffle himself survived a small plane incident in 2011.
As the NTSB continues its work, the focus remains on facts. Speculation, especially dramatic claims of “human error” or inevitable doom, can cause unnecessary pain to grieving families. Anyone with information, photos, or videos is urged to contact [email protected].
The motorsports world mourns a champion on and off the track. Rest in peace to Greg, Cristina, Emma, Ryder, Craig, Dennis, and Jack.