Federal air safety experts were on scene of a private jet crash in Statesville, North Carolina, Friday, launching an investigation into what caused the tragic crash that killed NASCAR legend and hall of fame nominee Greg Biffle and his family as well as three others.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol confirmed Biffle’s wife, Cristina, 35, and children Ryder, 5, and Emma, 14, were among those who perished in the accident. The local medical examiner has not yet released the names of the three others on board.
NTSB investigators said they recovered the cockpit voice recorder, or “black box,” but the jet wasn’t equipped with a flight data recorder. The aircraft was not required to have either piece of equipment on board, the agency reported.
“The cockpit voice recorder is en route back to Washington, D.C., right now to be analyzed,” NTSB Board Member Michael Graham told reporters Friday.
Although details are still being uncovered, investigators have started to piece together what happened just before Biffle’s plane crashed as it was attempting to land at the municipal airport located about 45 miles outside of Charlotte.
According to Graham, authorities are still unable to verify who was flying the plane at the time of impact. Three people on board had pilot licenses, Graham said.
Investigators are analyzing radar, video footage, audio, and other evidence, but are not aware of anyone sending a mayday call before the jet crashed just short of the runway, hitting trees and lights before bursting into flames.
“We believe the plane was turning back to the airport,” Graham said. “At this point, we are not aware if there was an actual issue or not.”
The aircraft was nearly 45 years old, according to NTSB’s investigator in charge, Dan Baker. However, there are many aircraft still flying that are a lot older than that, officials said.
The plane took off at about 10:05 a.m. in heavy drizzling rain. The plane, which could have been piloted by one or two pilots, made a left turn followed by another left turn back toward the airport after about five minutes, Baker said.
Witnesses told investigators the aircraft came in “really low,” according to Graham.
Biffle, 55, was a licensed pilot with licenses for fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.
He used his flying skills to help during Hurricane Helene in 2024, flying in food and medicine for victims in hard-to-reach areas of North Carolina.
Tributes and condolences poured in for Biffle and his family following the tragic crash.
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein called the news “heartbreaking.”
NTSB investigators plan to release a preliminary report on the accident in 30 days.
A full investigation could take up to 18 months to complete, according to officials.
