US EditionRetired NASCAR Driver Greg Biffle Wasn't Flying Plane Before Crash that Killed Him and 6 Others, NTSB Says
- NTSB investigators released a preliminary report Friday saying a cascade of cockpit instrument failures preceded the Cessna Citation 550 crash about 400 feet short of Statesville Regional Airport on Dec. 18, 2025, and no one aboard met copilot qualifications.
- About four minutes into the flight, investigators say the Garmin navigation system stopped recording airspeed and heading, while the CVR showed severe audio degradation, with heavy drizzle reducing visibility to 5 miles and ceiling to 1,200 feet.
- Right-Seat occupant Jack Dutton sat in the copilot seat, held only a private pilot certificate with 175.3 total flight hours , and despite performing co-pilot duties, violated the pilot's operating restrictions.
- The aircraft struck approach lights and trees before resting in the runway blast area, and a post-impact fire consumed most of the fuselage.
- The NTSB said the investigation is just beginning as the nature of the problems remains unclear due to cockpit voice recorder cutouts during the about an hour flight.
94 Articles
94 Articles
NASCAR’s Greg Biffle Wasn’t Flying Plane Before It Crashed
NASCAR legend Greg Biffle was not piloting his private jet when it tragically crashed last month in North Carolina, killing him and his family, federal investigators revealed in a preliminary crash report on Jan. 30. Biffle, 55, was one of seven people on board the Cessna Citation C550 business jet who died while landing in Statesville, North Carolina at 10:15 a.m. on Dec. 18, 2025. Officials with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) …
KHQ Right Now
FOX 28 SpokaneGreg Biffle not piloting during fatal plane crash, NTSB report reveals
A new report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has revealed retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle was not flying his plane when it crashed, resulting in his death and the deaths of six others.
Retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle wasn't flying plane before crash that killed him and 6 others, NTSB says
Federal safety officials have concluded that retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle was not flying his jet when it crashed last month in North Carolina, killing him and six others.
Greg Biffle wasn't flying plane before North Carolina crash that killed 7
Retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle was not flying his own jet when it crashed last month, killing him and six others, according to a Friday report from federal safety officials who also concluded that while an experienced pilot was at the controls, no one else on board was qualified to be the required copilot.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 70% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
