Passenger texted ’emergency landing’ before crash that killed ex-NASCAR star, family
A person on a small private jet crashed in North Carolina Federal transportation officials confirmed Saturday that seven people were killed, including former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, who texted a family member an “emergency landing” message on Thursday moments before the plane crashed.
The Cessna C550 crashed while landing at Statesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles north of Charlotte, around 10:20 a.m. local time Thursday.
Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma and son Ryder died in the accident along with Dennis, Jack Dutton and Craig Wadsworth.
– PHOTO: On December 18, 2025, a small plane crashed at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina.
Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and family die in small plane crash in North Carolina: Officials
“I can confirm that the NTSB is aware of a brief message that a passenger on the aircraft wrote to a family member, quoting an ’emergency landing,'” NTSB Board Member Michael Graham said at a news conference Saturday. he said.
The official did not say who sent or received the text message.
Investigators were not aware of any other messages sent from passengers to those on the ground, the official said.
A 16-member NTSB team arrived at the crash scene Thursday. The cause of the accident is still being determined.
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Graham said a preliminary investigation showed the plane left one runway after being airborne for about ten minutes and attempted to land on another runway. According to multiple eyewitness accounts, the plane approached steadily with its landing lights on, but the plane came in low, Graham said.
Graham said the NTSB is still unsure who was flying the plane at the time of the crash. The NTSB had previously stated that three people on the plane had pilot licenses.
Jonathan Bachman/SRX via Getty Images, FILE – PHOTO: This June 18, 2022 file photo shows Greg Biffle with his children during the Camping World Superstar Racing Experience event at Five Flags Raceway in Pensacola, Florida.
NTSB investigators found the cockpit voice recorder and sent it to the NTSB laboratory in Washington, DC, for analysis. The plane did not have a flight data recorder, but it did not need to have one.
A preliminary report on the accident is expected to be released within 30 days, but the final report will take 12-18 months to prepare.
“Greg was more than a champion driver, he was a beloved member of the NASCAR community, a fierce competitor and a friend to many,” NASCAR said in a statement. he said. “His passion for racing, integrity and commitment to fans and fellow competitors has made a lasting impact on the sport.”
In the joint statement made by the families of those on the ship, it was stated that they were saddened by the loss of their loved ones.
“Each of them meant so much 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 overcome this unimaginable loss.”
