{"id":356669,"date":"2025-12-20T01:28:13","date_gmt":"2025-12-20T01:28:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/356669\/"},"modified":"2025-12-20T01:28:13","modified_gmt":"2025-12-20T01:28:13","slug":"ntsb-begins-investigation-into-plane-crash-that-killed-nascar-driver-greg-biffle-6-others","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/356669\/","title":{"rendered":"NTSB begins investigation into plane crash that killed NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, 6 others"},"content":{"rendered":"

STATESVILLE, N.C. \u2014 The investigation into the plane crash that killed retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and six others, including his wife and two children, began in earnest Friday with the National Transportation Safety Board arriving at the crash site to determine why the aircraft crashed mere minutes after taking off.<\/p>\n

The Cessna C550 took off from Statesville Regional Airport at 10:05 a.m. (ET) Thursday, then crashed less than 10 minutes later as the plane attempted to return and land, investigators said. Witnesses have told the NTSB they observed the plane flying \u201cvery low,\u201d but investigators have not yet determined the reason the plane turned around nor what caused it to crash, killing everyone on board. There was no distress call made from the cockpit indicating an emergency.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt this point, we are not aware if there was an actual issue or not. We are studying a lot of things,\u201d NTSB member Michael Graham said Friday at a media briefing.<\/p>\n

As the plane attempted to land, it struck trees outside the airport and multiple light stanchions, then went through a fence that separates the airport from a public road. The NTSB said investigators have already determined the debris field was 1,800 feet short of the runway. Videos show the plane erupting into a large fire when it hit the ground.<\/p>\n

On Friday, several people who live directly across the street from the airport, 40 miles north of Charlotte, described hearing a loud explosion when the plane hit the ground. One eyewitness said he was standing on his front porch with his dog when the crash occurred, startling him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw where it clipped the tree and just hit the ground \u2014 it pretty much went down,\u201d said one eyewitness who did not want to be identified publicly. \u201cThen, you could just see the ball of fire, and I just knew then I watched people on that plane die. I just didn\u2019t know who it was until a little bit later.\u201d<\/p>\n

A winner on and off the race track. <\/p>\n

Greg Biffle leaves a lasting impression on all of us. pic.twitter.com\/vk68lgaY3t<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NASCAR (@NASCAR) December 19, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Next door, Chuck McCrary was inside the home he shares with his girlfriend when they heard the crash, prompting them to look outside, where they saw the plane engulfed in flames and a big plume of black smoke spewing from the crash site. Charred remains of the plane were still visible Friday afternoon from the couple\u2019s front door.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all went to the front door and saw ambulances, fire trucks, cops and smoke,\u201d McCrary said. \u201cI was like, \u2018Oh, man, that\u2019s bad.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cIt sounded like a big boom, like a barrel just exploded.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the NTSB does whenever investigating a plane crash, it will examine three main areas: 1) the operator of the aircraft, 2) the aircraft itself, which was built in 1981, and 3) the weather conditions, which at the time of the crash were drizzly and cloudy.<\/p>\n

The operator of the plane is under examination because three people aboard were licensed pilots.<\/p>\n

There is no precise timeline on when the investigation will be complete, but the NTSB anticipates a preliminary report being completed within 30 days, while a full investigation could run between 12 and 18 months. The on-site investigation team consists of 16 members with expertise in systems, drones, recorders, power plants and family assistance.<\/p>\n

Investigators have already recovered the cockpit voice recorder and taken it to Washington, D.C., to be analyzed. The plane was not equipped with a flight data recorder, which is not required. Despite online reports of text messages sent from the plane, investigators said they are not aware of any such messages sent from any individual on the plane.<\/p>\n

The victims were Biffle; his wife, Cristina; his 14-year-old daughter, Emma; the Biffles\u2019 5-year-old son, Ryder; Craig Wadsworth, a friend of Greg Biffle\u2019s; and Dennis Dutton and his son Jack, whose connection to the Biffles was not specified. Emma Biffle is Greg Biffle\u2019s daughter from an earlier marriage to his first wife, Nicole Lunders.<\/p>\n

Biffle competed in NASCAR for two decades, a career that included 19 wins in the sport\u2019s premier Cup Series, plus a championship in each of NASCAR\u2019s two other national series. He was named one of NASCAR\u2019s 75 best drivers of all time and last year won the prestigious Myers Brothers Award, which recognizes an individual who made outstanding contributions to stock car racing. He earned the honor for his efforts in assisting those impacted by Hurricane Helene by repeatedly flying his own helicopter across western North Carolina to deliver essential goods to the flood-ravaged area.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn behalf of the NTSB, I want to express our most sincere condolences to the families and loved ones who lost their lives in this terrible tragedy,\u201d Graham said. \u201cWe know those on board were deeply rooted in this community, and we know it\u2019s especially tough on the families this time of year in this community. So you will be in our hearts and our thoughts and our prayers during this time.\u201d<\/p>\n