TRAGIC UPDATE: Private jet owned by retired NASCAR driver crashes in NC, multiple fatalities reported

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From the New York Post: Multiple people are feared dead after a private jet owned by NASCAR driver Greg Biffle crashed and exploded into flames while trying to land at a North Carolina airport Thursday.

The Cessna C550 plane went down at Statesville Regional Airport, which is frequented by NASCAR teams and Fortune 500 companies, just before 10:30 a.m, authorities said.

Footage shot by WSOC-TV captured the aircraft entirely engulfed in flames as emergency crews rushed onto the runway.

“I can confirm there were fatalities,” Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell said, though he declined to say how many.

Biffle – a 55-year-old semi-retired NASCAR driver affectionately known as “The Biff” – owns the plane through GB Aviation Leasing, public records show.

The plane had taken off from the regional airport, just after 10 a.m. but quickly turned around after failing to even make it to 2,000 feet, the report explains.

Officials have not yet confirmed who was aboard the plane. However, reports on social media are saying Biffle, his wife and children were on board.

Reportedly, Biffle piloted hundreds of rescue and supply missions in his personal helicopter across Western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene last year.

RAWSALERTS announced:

At this time, numerous first responders are responding to a major aviation emergency following the crash of a private jet earlier this at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina. The aircraft has been identified as a 1981 Cessna Citation II, tail number N257BW, reportedly owned by NASCAR driver Greg Biffle. There were six occupants onboard at the time of the crash. Local media reports indicate that five fatalities have been confirmed so far. According to flight-tracking data, the aircraft returned toward the airport shortly after takeoff before the incident occurred. This remains a developing situation, and further details will be released as they become available.”

There are now reports that NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife and children were reportedly onboard plane which crashed at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina.

Garrett Mitchell announced in a Facebook post, “Unfortunately, I can confirm Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, and son Ryder were on that plane… because they were on their way to spend the afternoon with us. We are devastated. I’m so sorry to share this.”

In a Facebook post, Chanel2 NOW News announced more tragic details:

UPDATE: Garrett Mitchell confirmed to Channel2 NOW that Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, and their son Ryder were aboard the aircraft, as they were traveling to spend the afternoon with him. He expressed deep devastation over the incident and stated that he does not yet know whether Biffle’s daughter was also on board.

STATESVILLE, N.C. — Emergency crews and aviation authorities are responding to reports of a fatal aircraft crash involving a small private jet at Statesville Regional Airport.

According to preliminary information, the aircraft involved is a Cessna 550 Citation II. Public aviation records indicate the jet is registered to a company owned by NASCAR driver Greg Biffle. The aircraft reportedly crashed at approximately 10:30 a.m. local time, with early accounts varying as to whether the incident occurred shortly after takeoff or while the plane was attempting to land.

Officials have confirmed that six individuals were aboard the aircraft at the time of the crash. As of the latest update, five fatalities have been confirmed. The condition and identity of the remaining occupant have not yet been officially released. Authorities have not confirmed who was onboard the aircraft, and no names have been released.

There have been unconfirmed reports circulating that Greg Biffle, along with his wife and children, may have been among those on the plane; however, officials have not verified this information, and it should be treated as unconfirmed at this time.

Emergency responders remain on scene, and the crash site has been secured as investigators begin their assessment. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are expected to lead the investigation into the cause of the crash.

A press conference is scheduled for approximately 12:00 p.m., during which authorities are expected to provide updated information regarding the number of victims, passenger identities, and the circumstances surrounding the incident.

This remains a developing situation, and details may change as more verified information becomes available.

X user “Officer Lew” wrote, “Greg is the racing hero who personally piloted hundreds of rescue and supply missions in his helicopter across Western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene.”

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