Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle died with his wife, their two children and three other people in a plane crash at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina on Thursday, his family and NASCAR said.
A Cessna C550 crashed while landing at 10:20 a.m. ET at the city-owned airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA said it will investigate the cause of the crash alongside the National Transportation Safety Board, which will be the lead agency.
It is believed that Biffle and his family were on the flight when it crashed, said 1st Sgt. Chris Knox of the North Carolina Highway Patrol. His wife, Cristina, and two children, Ryder and Emma, were on the flight with him.
"That is the initial belief is that Mr. Greg Biffle from visual people identifying him entering the plane along with immediate family memberships," Knox said. "We will be awaiting those medical examiner notifications."
Three other people were identified as being on the plane and killed, the families said in a joint statement. They were Craig Wadsworth, Dennis Dutton and his son Jack Dutton.
"Each of them meant everything to us, and their absence leaves an immeasurable void in our lives," the statement said. "We ask for privacy, compassion and understanding as we grieve and begin to process this unimaginable loss."
Airport director John Ferguson told reporters that the FAA was taking over the crash scene.
“We have no information on any cause,” Ferguson said. “The airport now is closed until further notice. It will take some time to get the debris off the runway, to get it safe again.”
The plane’s tail number indicates it was owned by GB Aviation Leasing, a company owned by Biffle, according to NBC affiliate WCNC of Charlotte. A representative for Biffle did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Garrett Mitchell, known as for his racing content on YouTube as Cleetus McFarland, wrote on Facebook that Biffle's family were on their way to spend the afternoon with him when the plane crashed.
“We are devastated,” he wrote.
Biffle, a NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee and pilot, used a private helicopter last year to help deliver supplies to victims in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, when flooding made some parts of western North Carolina inaccessible by road.
Biffle was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers along with famed drivers Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon. He started 515 NASCAR Cup Series races, winning 19, and he was the first driver to win championships in both the Xfinity Series and the Truck Series.
NASCAR, which said it was "devastated," described Biffle as "a fierce competitor, and a friend to so many." The racing league praised him for his work in North Carolina after Hurricane Helene and his dedication to the betterment of his community.
"His passion for racing, his integrity, and his commitment to fans and fellow competitors alike made a lasting impact on the sport," it said.
