NASCAR<\/a> star Greg Biffle and his family were on board a Cessna C550 jet that crashed around 10:15 a.m. Thursday, while landing at the Statesville Regional Airport, the North Carolina<\/a> State Highway Patrol told The Independent. Flight records indicate the plane was operated by a company Biffle owned, the Associated Press<\/a> reports.<\/p>\n State police confirmed that \u201cit is believed Mr Gregory Biffle and members of his immediate family were occupants of the airplane\u201d, but said a full list of occupants will be released upon confirmation by the medical examiner\u2019s office.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, NASCAR released a statement<\/a> indicating Biffle, his wife Cristina, and their children, Emma and Ryder, died in the crash. The association identified the other victims as Craig Wadsworth, Dennis Dutton and Jack Dutton.<\/p>\n \u201cOur thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Greg\u2019s entire family, friends, and all who were touched by his life,\u201d NASCAR\u2019s statement reads. <\/p>\n The families of the victims have also released a statement.<\/p>\n \u201cGreg and Cristina were devoted parents and active philanthropists whose lives were centered around their young son Ryder and Greg\u2019s daughter Emma (mother \u2013 Nicole Lunders). Emma was a wonderful human being with a kind soul who was loved by many people. Ryder was an active, curious and infinitely joyful child,\u201d the statement reads. <\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Greg Biffle poses with a trophy and cash prize in 2019 (Getty)<\/p>\n The statement continues: \u201cDennis Dutton and his son Jack were deeply loved as well, and their loss is felt by all who knew them. Craig Wadsworth was beloved by many in the NASCAR community and will be missed by those who knew him.<\/p>\n \u201cEach of them meant everything to us, and their absence leaves an immeasurable void in our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n Biffle, who was 55 and retired, was named one of NASCAR\u2019s 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023. Last year, he also accepted NASCAR\u2019s Myers Brothers Award<\/a>, which recognized his efforts to provide aid in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. The award-winning driver was affectionately nicknamed \u201cThe Biff.\u201d<\/p>\n Richard Hudson, a North Carolina Representative, paid tribute to the Biffles in a social media post<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cI am devastated by the loss of Greg, Cristina, and their children, and my heart is with all who loved them,\u201d Hudson wrote.<\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n The plane burst into flames after it crashed at the Statesville Regional Airport on Thursday morning (AP)<\/p>\n \u201cThe Biffles flew hundreds of rescue missions in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene<\/a>. The last time I spoke with Cristina, just a couple of weeks ago, she reached out to ask how she could help with relief efforts in Jamaica. That\u2019s who the Biffles were,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n North Carolina Governor Josh Stein called the crash \u201cheartbreaking.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBeyond 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. My heart goes out to all those who lost a loved one in this tragic crash,\u201d he wrote on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n The plane was scheduled to later fly from Sarasota, Florida, to Treasure Cay International Airport in the Bahamas, according to the AP. It was then set to return to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. <\/p>\n The Statesville Regional Airport, which is located about 50 miles north of Charlotte, provides \u201ccorporate aviation facilities for Fortune 500 companies and several NASCAR teams,\u201d according to its website<\/a>.<\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Seven people were on board the Cessna C550 jet, officials said (AP)<\/p>\n Photos from the scene showed the plane engulfed in flames near the airport\u2019s runway. The plane took off from the airport before immediately turning back around and attempting to land, WCNC<\/a> reports.<\/p>\n William Hamby, chief deputy for the Iredell County Sheriff\u2019s Office, told The Independent his agency sent a \u201cMobile Command Unit to the scene to help with the investigation\u201d shortly after the crash.<\/p>\n \u201cThe investigation will be conducted by the North Carolina Highway Patrol and the FAA. Our agency was first on scene and reported back the initial information,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n About 80 minutes after the crash, the airport\u2019s weather station recorded light rain and visibility of less than three miles, though it\u2019s unclear if these conditions were present during the crash, CNN<\/a> reports.<\/p>\n![\"Greg](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-1154521615.jpg\")
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