NASCAR icon Greg Biffle, his wife, and their two young children have been tragically killed after their private jet crashed and burst into flames on a runway in North Carolina. The accident, which occurred on Thursday, also claimed the lives of three other individuals, including another racing figure.
Flight Path Points to Potential Mechanical Failure
Chilling data from FlightAware has revealed the aircraft's final moments. The Cessna C550 Citation, owned by the semi-retired driver, took off from Statesville Regional Airport before abruptly circling back. It then plummeted to the ground during its landing attempt, erupting into a fireball. All seven people on board perished.
Analysing the data, WCNC's Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich suggested a mechanical issue was likely. "The fact that they took off and immediately circled back to the airport told me they probably were having some kind of trouble," Panovich stated. The tracking information clearly shows the jet take off, return to the airport, shift to the right, and then stop—presumably the moment of impact.
A Family and Community Devastated
Biffle, affectionately known as 'the Biff' in racing circles, was travelling with his wife, Cristina Grossu, and their children: daughter Emma, 14, and five-year-old son Ryder. The group was en route to Sarasota, Florida, to visit friends.
Friend Garrett Mitchell confirmed the devastating news on social media. "Unfortunately, I can confirm Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, and son Ryder were on that plane... because they were on their way to spend the afternoon with us," he wrote. "We are devastated."
The other victims were identified as NASCAR figure Craig Wadsworth and father-and-son Dennis and Jack Dutton. A joint statement from the families expressed profound grief: "Each of them meant everything to us, and their absence leaves an immeasurable void in our lives." It remains unclear who was piloting the aircraft at the time of the crash.
A Legacy of Racing and Charity
Tributes have poured in for Biffle, remembered not only as a fierce competitor but also for his charitable work. North Carolina Representative Richard Hudson highlighted the family's dedication to helping others, noting they had flown hundreds of rescue missions in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene.
"Greg was a great NASCAR champion who thrilled millions of fans," Hudson said. "But he was an extraordinary person as well, and will be remembered for his service to others as much as for his fearlessness on the track."
The tragedy follows a social media post by Cristina just a day before the crash, showing a picture from her car with the caption "Busy day today." Biffle himself had posted a photo piloting the same aircraft in September.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a full investigation into the causes of the fatal crash.
