STATESVILLE, N.C. — In a heartbreaking turn late Thursday afternoon, family friend and internet personality Lawrence “Cleetus McFarland” Garrett Mitchell confirmed that former NASCAR star Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina Grossu, and their two children Emma and Ryder were aboard the small private jet that crashed while attempting to land at Statesville Regional Airport in Iredell County, North Carolina. They were en route to Florida to spend the holiday weekend with Mitchell when the tragedy unfolded.
The aircraft involved was a Cessna C550 business jet, registered to GB Aviation Leasing LLC — a company linked to Biffle — that went down around 10:15 a.m. local time as it returned to the airport, according to official flight data and witness reports. The jet had departed from Statesville earlier in the morning with Sarasota, Florida listed as its planned destination.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with the plane flying unusually low before impact and erupting into a massive fireball upon striking the runway area. Emergency crews rushed to the scene, but officials confirmed multiple fatalities shortly after. Initial reports suggested the number of deaths could be as many as five.
Mitchell’s emotional Facebook post — which has been widely shared across social platforms — revealed the Biffle family was headed to Florida to visit him and his family. “We are devastated,” he wrote, expressing deep sorrow in sharing the awful news.
Greg Biffle, 55, was a beloved figure in the racing world, known for his championships over a long NASCAR career and his reputation as a fierce competitor and generous friend. Off the track, he was also an aircraft owner and licensed pilot with a passion for aviation.
At this early stage, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a full investigation into the crash, reviewing flight records, weather conditions, and wreckage to determine what may have caused the aircraft to fail during landing. Investigators have not yet released a formal cause or detailed passenger manifest beyond the confirmations from Mitchell.
As word of the crash spread, tributes poured in from fans, fellow racers, and the broader motorsports community. Many recalled Biffle’s impact on and off the track, his easygoing nature, and his devotion to family — making the loss of him and his young children all the more devastating. News of the crash has shaken fans around the world, and as authorities continue their work, friends and loved ones are left to grieve an unimaginable loss.
