Family friends announced Thursday that NASCAR veteran Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, their 14-year-old daughter Emma, and 5-year-old son Ryder were killed in a plane crash at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina. The report was later confirmed by WGHP, the FOX affiliate in High Point, North Carolina.
The initial disclosure came from Garrett Mitchell, who said the family died when Biffle’s Cessna C550 jet crashed earlier Thursday. Authorities have confirmed multiple fatalities but have not released the names of those on board.
Video taken around 10:15 a.m. shows the wreckage of the aircraft, owned by Biffle, engulfed in flames just off the runway at the airport, with news sources confirming six people aboard and multiple fatalities.
Shortly afterward, a statement from U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson corroborated initial reports of the Biffles’ deaths.
Motorsport.com provides additional reporting on the developing situation:
Garrett Mitchell, better known as YouTuber Cleetus McFarland, has confirmed that the Biffle family was on board and indeed died in the incident.
“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. We are devastated. I’m so sorry to share this.”
Overseeing the incident was the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office but in the hours since the crash, they have been joined on-site by the Federal Aviation Administration. A brief press conference was held around noon with airport manager John Ferguson sharing what little he could at the time.
This is before Mitchell stated the Biffles were amongst the casualties.
Biffle, a former NASCAR Cup Series driver, was widely known for his racing career. More recently, he also gained recognition for his humanitarian work. After Hurricane Helene devastated parts of Western North Carolina in September 2024, Biffle flew more than 100 helicopter missions, delivering supplies and assisting with rescue efforts across the region.
Biffle was recognized in 2023 as one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers, an honor announced during the organization’s 75th anniversary celebration.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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