Federal regulators to begin sifting through wreckage of North Carolina plane crash that killed 7
DEVLETVILLE, NC. (AP) — Federal investigators on Friday will begin examining the wreckage of a business jet that crashed in North Carolina, killing all seven people on board, including the retired NASCAR driver. Greg Biffle and his family.
A massive fire broke out when the Cessna C550 crashed into the ground on Thursday. It had departed from Statesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of Charlotte, but was soon crashed North Carolina State Highway Patrol as they tried to turn around and get out.
Flight records show the plane was registered to a company run by Biffle. The cause of the accident and the reason why the plane returned to the airport in drizzling rain and cloudy weather were not yet known.
Federal Aviation Administration records show Biffle was rated to fly helicopters and single- and multi-engine aircraft. It was unclear whether Biffle was flying the plane at the time of the crash.
According to the Highway Patrol and the family, Biffle was on the plane with his wife, Cristina, and their children, Ryder, 5, and Emma, 14. The other people on the plane were identified as Dennis Dutton, his son Jack and Craig Wadsworth.
“They each meant so much to us, and their absence leaves an immeasurable void in our lives,” the family said in a joint statement.
Biffle, 55, has won more than 50 races across NASCAR’s three tracks, including 19 at the Cup Series level. He also won the Trucks Series championship in 2000 and the Xfinity Series championship in 2002.
NASCAR called Biffle “a beloved member of the NASCAR community, a fierce competitor and a friend to many.”
“His passion for racing, integrity and dedication to fans and other competitors have made a lasting impact on the sport,” NASCAR said. he said.
The plane will depart FloridaIt took off from Statesville airport shortly after 10 a.m., according to tracking data released by . FlightAware.com.
Golfers playing near the airport were shocked to witness the disaster as the plane crashed mid-air at Lakewood Golf Club. The ninth hole was covered in debris.
“We said, ‘Oh my God! That’s too low,'” said Joshua Green of Mooresville. “It was scary.”
A team from the National Transportation Safety Board traveled to North Carolina on Thursday to investigate. The Federal Aviation Administration is also investigating the matter.
Aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti said the Cessna plane, built in 1981, was a popular midsize business jet with an excellent reputation. It has two engines and usually seats six to eight passengers and two pilots.
In 2024, Biffle was honored for his humanitarian efforts after Hurricane Helene hit the United States; he even used his personal helicopter to bring aid to flooded western North Carolina.
“The last time I spoke to Cristina, just a few weeks ago, she asked how she could help with the relief effort in Jamaica. That’s how the Biffles were,” said U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, a Republican from North Carolina.
Roommate Benito Howell said Wadsworth was Biffle’s friend and helped him with odd jobs, including hauling supplies to areas hit by Hurricane Helene.
“He didn’t know how to say no,” Howell said of Wadsworth, who has worked for several NASCAR teams. “He loved everyone. He was always trying to help everyone.”
The joint family statement also spoke about Dutton and his son Jack, saying they were “much loved and their loss is felt by all who knew them.”
With 2025 almost over, there have been 1,331 U.S. crashes investigated by the NTSB this year, from two-seat planes to commercial airliners; The total number in 2024 was 1,482.
Major weather disasters worldwide in 2025 include: plane-helicopter collision Killed 67 people in Washington, Air India crash 260 people died in India and Russian Far East It took 48 lives. 14 people died in the incident, 11 of whom were on the ground. UPS cargo plane to hit Kentucky.
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Robertson reported from Raleigh, North Carolina. Associated Press writers John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio; Jenna Fryer in Charlotte, North Carolina; Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska; Ed White in Detroit; Sarah Brumfield in Washington; and Hallie Golden in Seattle contributed to this story.
