A plane crash at a North Carolina airport has reportedly left six people dead, including a former NASCAR driver and his family.
NASCAR star Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina and their two young children have died, according to Representative Richard Hudson, after a Cessna C550 jet crashed around 10:15 a.m. Thursday while landing at the Statesville Regional Airport. Public records indicate the plane was operated by GB Aviation Leasing, which Biffle owned, WCNC reports.
“I am devastated by the loss of Greg, Cristina, and their children, and my heart is with all who loved them,” Hudson wrote on X.
”The Biffles flew hundreds of rescue missions in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene. 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’s who the Biffles were,” he added.
open image in galleryBiffle, who was 55 and semi-retired, was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023. Last year, he also accepted NASCAR’s , which recognized his efforts to provide relief in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene.
The award-winning driver was affectionately nicknamed “The Biff.”
The FAA confirmed earlier Thursday that six people were on board the plane, which was scheduled to later fly from Sarasota, Florida, to Treasure Cay International Airport in the Bahamas, according to the Associated Press. The plane was then set to return to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
open image in galleryThe plane’s pilot and five passengers were killed in the crash, CNN reports, although federal authorities are yet to confirm this, or any information about the potential victims.
The Statesville Regional Airport, which is located about 50 miles north of Charlotte, provides “corporate aviation facilities for Fortune 500 companies and several NASCAR teams,” according to its website.
Photos from the scene show the plane engulfed in flames near the airport’s runway. The plane took off from the airport before immediately turning back around and attempting to land, WCNC reports.
open image in galleryWilliam Hamby, chief deputy for the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office, told The Independent his agency has sent a “Mobile Command Unit to the scene to help with the investigation.”
“The 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,” he said.
About 80 minutes after the crash, the airport’s weather station recorded light rain and visibility of less than three miles, though it’s unclear if these conditions were present during the crash, CNN reports.
A National Transportation Safety Board team is heading to the scene, and the agency plans to provide further updates at press conference scheduled for Friday.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.