STATESVILLE, N.C. — A quiet Thursday morning in Iredell County turned tragic when a business jet linked to former NASCAR star Greg Biffle crashed and burst into flames at Statesville Regional Airport, killing multiple people and leaving a community in shock. The Cessna C550, a small but powerful corporate jet, went down just before 10:20 a.m. while attempting to land, erupting into a massive fireball that sent firefighters and first-responders rushing toward the burning wreckage.
Officials confirmed that the aircraft, registered under GB Aviation Leasing — a company affiliated with Biffle — crashed near the end of the runway after departing the same airport only minutes earlier. Flight tracking data shows the jet took off at about 10:06 a.m. but circled back, with investigators now trying to understand what forced the aircraft to return. At this point, exact details about why the crash occurred remain under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office confirmed multiple fatalities, though authorities have not released the precise number of victims or identified those on board. It also remains unclear who exactly was inside the aircraft at the time of the crash, and whether Biffle or his family were aboard. Officials have urged caution against speculation until verified information is available.
Eyewitnesses described an intimidating scene of smoke and flame as emergency crews from local fire departments rushed to extinguish fires and tend to the aftermath. Images shared by local news outlets show charred debris scattered across the runway as firefighters worked under heavy smoke. The airport, which serves corporate flights and NASCAR teams alike, was quickly shut down as officials secured the crash site and began their investigation.
Greg Biffle, who retired from full-time NASCAR competition after a distinguished career with 19 Cup Series wins, is also a licensed pilot known within aviation circles. Public records show he owns several aircraft and has even used his piloting skills for humanitarian missions in the past. But at this hour, neither he nor his representatives have issued a statement addressing the crash or his possible connection to the flight.
The tragedy has sent ripples through both the racing and aviation communities, with fans and peers offering thoughts and prayers for those affected. With no immediate confirmation of who was on the plane, speculation has grown online, but law enforcement continues to emphasize that confirmed details will only come through official channels.
As the NTSB and FAA comb through evidence and witness reports, families and friends of the victims — whose identities have yet to be released — face a long and painful wait for answers. The scene at Statesville Regional Airport stands as a somber reminder of how quickly routine travel can turn into catastrophe, as investigators work to determine the cause of one of the most shocking aviation accidents in recent memory.
