Mystery as 3 Licensed Pilots were Aboard Flight that Killed NASCAR Star

A heartbreaking mystery surrounds the North Carolina plane crash that claimed the life of former NASCAR star Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, and their two children. Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)say they still don’t know who was flying the private jet when it went down — even though three people on board were licensed pilots.

The fatal crash happened Thursday morning shortly after takeoff from Statesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles north of Charlotte. The Cessna C550 was en route to the Bahamas but turned back just five minutes into the flight before crashing roughly ten minutes after departure.

According to NTSB board member Michael Graham, investigators recovered the cockpit voice recorder — the plane’s “black box” — which is now being analyzed in Washington, D.C. The Cessna did not have a flight data recorder, and officials say it wasn’t required to carry one.

“This is the beginning of a very long process,” Graham said. “We will not jump to any conclusions while on scene here in North Carolina.”

The jet was owned by GB Aviation Leasing LLC, a company registered to Biffle himself, who held multiple pilot ratings. Along with his family, three other passengers — Dennis Dutton, his son Jack, and Craig Wadsworth — also died in the crash.

Weather conditions were reportedly mild with light rain at the time, and no immediate cause has been determined. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, though the full investigation could take more than a year.

Biffle, 55, was a NASCAR icon, known for winning more than 50 races across the Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series. He took home two major championships during his career — the Trucks Series title in 2000 and the Xfinity Series crown in 2002 — before retiring as one of the sport’s most consistent drivers.

NASCAR released a statement calling Biffle “a beloved member of the NASCAR community, a fierce competitor, and a friend to so many.”

Fans and fellow racers have flooded social media with tributes, remembering Biffle not only for his achievements on the track but for his warmth and devotion to his family.