Tragic Plane Crash Takes the Lives of NASCAR Icon Greg Biffle and His Family
Greg Biffle, a former NASCAR driver, aged 55, his wife Cristina, their daughter Emma, 14, and son Ryder, 5, were tragically killed in a plane crash. They were among the seven victims of a Cessna Citation 550 business jet crash during an attempted landing at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina on December 18. The aircraft hit approach lights and trees approximately 1,800 feet short of the runway, subsequently bursting into flames.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken up the investigation of the accident. The crash also claimed the lives of Dennis Dutton, his son Jack Dutton, and Craig Wadsworth. Preliminary reports suggest that the 1981-manufactured aircraft had taken off from the same airport at around 10:05 a.m. and attempted to return shortly after. A passenger on board sent a text message reading “emergency landing” to a family member moments before the crash. Weather conditions at the time included heavy drizzle with visibility up to 5 miles under visual flight rules.
Biffle, who won 19 races during his 15-year Cup Series career, was recognized as one of NASCAR’s 75 greatest drivers. Beyond his racing career, he was recently honored with the NMPA Myers Brothers Award for his humanitarian efforts. He used his personal helicopter to deliver aid to Western North Carolina communities devastated by Hurricane Helene in 2024. The aviation and NASCAR communities mourn the loss of a champion driver, devoted family man, and selfless humanitarian.
Source: ESPN