Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle was involved in a plane crash Thursday morning at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina, according to federal officials. The aircraft, a Cessna C550 business jet, crashed while landing shortly after 10 a.m. ET.
The Federal Aviation Administration and Statesville Regional Airport confirmed the incident but said Thursday that there was no confirmation of who was on board at the time of the crash. The plane was registered to GB Aviation, a company managed by Biffle.
Emergency crews responded after witnesses reported smoke and fire near the runway. The investigation remains ongoing, with federal agencies reviewing weather conditions and other available information.
Crash details and eyewitness account
According to Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic, the plane went down while attempting to land at Statesville Regional Airport during rainy conditions.
Scott Sain, an electrical worker who was working at the airport at the time, described what he saw moments after the crash in comments reported by Gluck and Bianchi.
“There was a big plume of black smoke, and I saw some fire trucks coming up (the street), Sain said.” “I didn’t hear anything, but I went across and the whole end of the runway was on fire, he told The Athletic.”
The FAA confirmed the aircraft was a Cessna C550 and said the crash occurred shortly after 10 a.m. ET. Airport officials also confirmed the incident but did not release information about passengers or injuries. Authorities said further details would be released after confirmation.
FAA investigation and official response
The FAA said the aircraft was registered to GB Aviation, with Greg Biffle listed as the company’s manager, according to federal records cited by Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic.
Statesville Regional Airport confirmed the crash and said emergency crews were dispatched immediately. Officials did not confirm who was on board or provide casualty information.
The National Transportation Safety Board is expected to lead the investigation, with assistance from the FAA. Investigators typically examine weather data, aircraft condition, and pilot information.
Rain was present in the area at the time of the crash, but officials cautioned that no cause has been determined. Federal authorities stressed that the investigation is still in its early stages.
Greg Biffle’s NASCAR career
Greg Biffle, 55, is a successful former NASCAR driver and one of the most notable drivers of his era. Biffle won 19 Cup Series races during a career that spanned more than two decades, though he never secured the series championship, finishing a career-best second in points in 2005.
He did win championships in two other national NASCAR series. Biffle captured the Craftsman Truck Series title in 2000 and the Xfinity Series championship in 2002, becoming the first driver to win titles in both series.
Biffle grew up in Vancouver, Washington, and was discovered on local short tracks. NASCAR Hall of Famer Benny Parsons recommended him to team owner Jack Roush in the mid-1990s, which helped launch his national career.
He recorded 56 wins across NASCAR’s three top series (19 Cup, 20 Xfinity, 17 Truck). His final NASCAR victory came in 2019, when he returned for a one-off Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway and won.
In 2024, Biffle was recognized for helping deliver supplies to western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene. He made multiple helicopter flights to isolated areas, earning the NMPA Myers Brothers Award for his efforts.
The FAA and NTSB investigation into Thursday’s crash remains ongoing. Additional updates are expected as authorities release confirmed information.
Plane Registered to Former NASCAR Driver Greg Biffle Crashes in North Carolina