A Cessna C550 plane owned by GB Aviation Co. and affiliated with American racing driver Greg Biffle crashed and exploded while attempting to land in North Carolina on Thursday.
Statesville Regional Airport said the crash occurred at 10:15 a.m. local time (1515 UTC/GMT), and Federal Aviation Administration officials were en route to the scene.
Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell said, “I can confirm that there have been deaths.”
Flight tracking data appears to indicate that the plane had just taken off, and shortly thereafter it attempted to turn around and land again.
Investigators have said it is too early to determine what caused the crash.
Biffle’s friend says he and his family were flying in to see him
Seven people, including Biffle, died in the accident; his wife, Christina Grossu Biffle; his son, Ryder; and Greg Biffle’s daughter, Emma. The other victims were identified as Craig Wadsworth, Dennis Dutton and Dutton’s son Jack, according to a statement from the victims’ families.
The statement said all of the victims were “beloved by many in the NASCAR community.”
“The NASCAR family is saddened by the passing of Greg Biffle, who was one of our 75 Greatest Drivers and was known for his tireless humanitarian work later in his career. We offer our deepest condolences,” the race company said on Twitter.
NASCAR and motorsports YouTuber Garrett Mitchell, a friend of Biffle’s who goes by the online alias Cleetus McFarland, wrote on social media that the 56-year-old and his immediate family were on board.
Michelle wrote on Facebook, “Unfortunately, I can confirm that Greg Biffle, his wife Christina, daughter Emma and son Ryder were on that plane… as they were on their way to spend the afternoon with us. We are devastated. I’m so sad to share this.”
Local broadcasters such as WCNC Charlotte in North Carolina reported that Biffle had been murdered.
Congressman Edison McDowell also said on Twitter that he was saddened by the passing of Greg Biffle, his wife and children.
Greg Biffle: Retired NASCAR star named one of series’ Top 75 drivers
Greg Biffle’s NASCAR career spanned over 500 races in the NASCAR Cup, including 19 race wins and 13 pole positions. Their best championship finish was as runner-up in the 2005 season, but the title eluded them.
He won the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2000 and was champion in the 2002 NASCAR Busch Series before graduating to the top level of US stock car racing.
In 2023, he was named one of NASCAR’s 75 greatest drivers of all time. Born in Vancouver, Washington state in the northwest of the US, he lived for years east and south in North Carolina, the heart of NASCAR country.
Biffle was passionate about flying and for many years spent many hours in the air in a variety of aircraft. He made headlines in September 2024 when he used his private helicopter to deliver aid to people affected by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina.
Edited by: Dmytro Lyubenko