A private Cessna 550 Citation II aircraft crashed while attempting to land at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina on December 18, 2025, killing all seven people on board, including retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle.

Initial reports indicated that six people were aboard the aircraft and that Biffle, the plane’s owner, may have been among the passengers. Authorities later confirmed that Biffle, his wife, their two children, and three additional individuals were killed in the crash, bringing the total fatalities to seven.

Emergency crews responded quickly to the scene, but the aircraft was engulfed in flames upon impact, leaving no survivors. The crash occurred during the landing phase, though officials have not yet released details regarding weather conditions or mechanical issues at the time of the incident.

Biffle, a former NASCAR Cup Series champion with 19 career wins, was widely respected both on and off the track. He was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers and, following his retirement, focused on family life, aviation, and philanthropy. Earlier in 2025, Biffle gained national attention for organizing private aviation relief missions to assist victims of Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have launched a formal investigation into the crash. Investigators will examine flight data, maintenance records, and air traffic communications to determine the cause.

The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the NASCAR community and beyond, as tributes continue to pour in honoring Biffle’s racing legacy, generosity, and devotion to his family.