A horrifying surveillance video has emerged showing the exact moment a private jet owned by former NASCAR star Greg Biffle slammed into the ground and erupted into a massive fireball, killing all seven people on board, including Biffle, his wife, and their two young children.
The tragic accident occurred Thursday morning at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina, turning what appeared to be a routine flight into catastrophe in seconds. Investigators are poring over the haunting footage, described as one of the most critical pieces of evidence in understanding how the disaster unfolded with no apparent warning.
Wreckage at Statesville Regional Airport after the Cessna C550 crashed and burst into flames. (Credit: Charlotte Observer)
The Cessna C550 business jet, registered to Biffle’s company GB Aviation Leasing LLC, had taken off from the airport around 10:06 a.m. Flight tracking data shows it climbed briefly before turning back for an attempted emergency landing just minutes later. Witnesses reported foggy weather conditions at the time, though it’s unclear if that played a role.
Surveillance video from the airport captures the jet approaching the runway at high speed before impacting the ground beyond the tarmac. In an instant, the aircraft disintegrates into a roaring fireball, with thick black smoke billowing hundreds of feet into the sky. The explosion was so intense that the post-crash fire made immediate identification of victims challenging, authorities said.
“No warning. No time to react,” one eyewitness described the scene to local media. Golfers at a nearby course ducked for cover as the low-flying plane screamed overhead before the impact.
Confirmed victims include Greg Biffle, 55, a retired NASCAR champion known for his 19 Cup Series wins; his wife Cristina Grossu Biffle; their 5-year-old son Ryder; and Biffle’s 14-year-old daughter Emma (from a previous marriage to Nicole Lunders). Also killed were Dennis Dutton and his son Jack Dutton, along with Craig Wadsworth, a longtime figure in the NASCAR community.
A joint statement from the families read: “We are devastated by the loss of our loved ones. This tragedy has left all of our families heartbroken beyond words. Greg and Cristina were devoted parents and active philanthropists whose lives were centered around their young son Ryder and Greg’s daughter Emma.”
NASCAR issued its own statement: “NASCAR is devastated by the tragic loss of Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, son Ryder, Craig Wadsworth and Dennis and Jack Dutton in a fatal plane crash. Greg was more than a champion driver; he was a beloved member of the NASCAR community, a fierce competitor, and a friend to so many.”
Greg Biffle pictured in happier times with his family. The NASCAR icon leaves behind a legacy on and off the track.
Biffle, nicknamed “The Biff,” rose from humble beginnings in Vancouver, Washington, to become one of NASCAR’s top stars. He claimed the 2000 Craftsman Truck Series championship and the 2002 Xfinity Series title before excelling in the Cup Series with Roush Fenway Racing (now RFK Racing). His 19 victories included memorable wins at tracks like Michigan, Darlington, and Dover. In 2023, he was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers, and he remained active in part-time racing as recently as 2025.
Off the track, Biffle was a licensed pilot with experience in both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. He owned the ill-fated Cessna Citation II (tail number N257BW), a reliable mid-size jet built in 1981 and commonly used for private and corporate travel. Biffle had posted photos of himself in the cockpit as recently as September, expressing excitement about returning to flying.
Perhaps his most enduring recent legacy came in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which devastated western North Carolina in late 2024. Biffle used his personal helicopter to fly hundreds of relief missions, delivering critical supplies to isolated communities cut off by flooding and landslides. He received the 2024 National Motorsports Press Association Myers Brothers Award for his humanitarian efforts.
The close friend who first confirmed the family’s involvement was YouTuber Garrett Mitchell, known as Cleetus McFarland. The Biffles were reportedly en route to spend the afternoon with Mitchell’s family when tragedy struck. “Unfortunately, I can confirm Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, and son Ryder were on that plane… We are devastated,” Mitchell posted on social media.
Other tributes poured in from the racing world. RFK Racing owner Jack Roush called it “incredibly heartbreaking,” noting Biffle’s contributions to the team. Co-owner Brad Keselowski said he was “heartbroken.” Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), a friend of Biffle, expressed devastation, praising his service after Helene.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken lead on the investigation, with a team arriving from Washington, D.C. Preliminary reports indicate the plane experienced an issue shortly after takeoff, prompting the return to Statesville. Possible factors under scrutiny include mechanical failure, pilot error, weather, or bird strikes—common in aviation accidents.
Witness Jeff Coley told reporters he heard the engines “screaming” like a dive-bombing aircraft before the crash. Another golfer nearby said the jet was flying “way too low.”
Smoke rises from the crash site as emergency responders arrive. Seven lives were lost in the inferno.
Aviation experts note the Cessna 550 series has a strong safety record, but like any aircraft, it’s not immune to catastrophic failures. The intense fire complicated recovery efforts, with Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell confirming multiple fatalities early on.
This marks a somber chapter for NASCAR, which has lost several members to aviation tragedies over the years, including legends like Davey Allison and Alan Kulwicki in the 1990s.
As the investigation continues—expected to take months or longer—the racing community and Biffle’s fans mourn a man who thrilled on the track and gave back off it. The haunting video serves as a stark reminder of how quickly life can change.
