Authorities report that a former NASCAR driver is believed to be among the seven individuals who perished in a plane crash at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina.
According to a highway patrol spokesperson, individuals on the ground confirmed that Greg Biffle, the prominent racer, was listed as a passenger on the aircraft.
Investigators informed reporters that the Cessna C550 crashed upon landing at Statesville Regional Airport at approximately 10:20 a.m. local time (15:20 GMT).
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein expressed his condolences on X, stating, “Heartbreaking news out of Statesville. Beyond his success as a NASCAR driver, Greg Biffle lived a life of courage and compassion and stepped up for western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene.”
CBS, the BBC’s U.S. partner, reports that the Cessna C550 aircraft is registered to a private company with ties to Greg Biffle, the retired NASCAR driver.
Mitchell Garret, a professional baseball player, shared on Facebook that Biffle and his family were en route to spend the afternoon with him.
“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,” Garret wrote on Facebook. “We are devastated. I’m so sorry to share this.”
Statesville Airport Director John Ferguson described the aircraft as a corporate jet and noted that it was already engulfed in flames upon his arrival at the scene.
The business jet reportedly took off around 10:06 a.m. local time and crashed shortly thereafter.
The crash occurred on the east end of the runway, and authorities have yet to determine the cause of the accident.
Mr. Ferguson informed reporters that Statesville Airport will remain closed until further notice as crews work to clear debris from the runway.
During a press conference, officials refrained from providing specific details regarding fatalities or the number of passengers on board.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), leading the investigation, has announced the deployment of a go-team to the crash site. The team is expected to arrive Thursday evening.
Statesville Regional Airport (KSVH), owned by the City of Statesville, is located approximately 45 minutes north of Charlotte.
The airport also provides aviation services for Fortune 500 companies and several NASCAR racing teams.
Biffle, whose racing career spanned two decades, was recognized as one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023. The 55-year-old secured 19 Cup Series race wins across the Xfinity Series and Craftsman Truck Series.
Known as “The Biff,” the Vancouver, Washington, native gained national attention during the 1995 NASCAR Winter Heat Series, according to his official NASCAR profile.
He made a name for himself in the Craftsman Truck Series, earning the 1998 Rookie of the Year award and the 2000 series championship.
He continued his success, being named the 2001 Rookie of the Year in the Xfinity Series and winning the 2002 championship, becoming the first driver to achieve championships in both the Xfinity Series and the Truck Series.
Biffle also co-founded the Sand Outlaws Series. While he reduced his racing schedule after 2016, he returned for a one-off race at Texas Motor Speedway in 2019, which he won.
“Racing is racing,” he told Nascar.com in 2021. “It’s that adrenaline, you want to be better than the competition, you want to build a better piece and have a faster car. I just enjoy the competition.”
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