NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife, and two children passed away in a fiery plane crash in North Carolina on Thursday.

Small Plane Owned By NASCAR Star Goes Down In Fiery Crash

Authorities reported multiple fatalities after a Cessna C550 jet crashed while landing at Statesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles north of Charlotte.

Garrett Mitchell, known online as YouTube star "Cleetus McFarland," confirmed on Facebook that Biffle and his family were on the plane.

"Unfortunately, I can confirm Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, and son Ryder were on that plane... because they were on their way to spend the afternoon with us. We are devastated. I'm so sorry to share this," Mitchell wrote.

"In 2024, Biffle provided life-saving assistance to Hurricane Helene victims by flying helicopters to hard-to-reach areas to deliver supplies and resources," Collin Rugg wrote.

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"Biffle was named one of NASCAR's 75 greatest drivers in 2023," he added.

WRAL has more:

Golfers playing next to the airport were shocked as they witnessed the disaster, even dropping to the ground at the Lakewood Golf Club while the plane was overhead. The ninth hole was covered with debris.

“We were like, ‘Oh my gosh! That’s way too low,’” said Joshua Green of Mooresville. “It was scary.”

The National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA were investigating. AccuWeather says there was some drizzle and clouds at the time of the crash.

The plane took off from the airport shortly after 10 a.m. but then returned and was attempting to land there, according to tracking data posted by FlightAware.com.

The plane had planned to fly later from Sarasota, Florida, to Treasure Cay International Airport in the Bahamas before returning to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and then to Statesville by evening, data showed.

"Biffle was an absolute HERO, and I personally worked with him in Western NC after Helene as he risked his own life using his personal helicopter to save COUNTLESS lives. He delivered chainsaws, EpiPens, baby formula, fuel, and food to stranded families in inaccessible places surrounded by flood water, and asked for nothing from anybody," journalist Nick Sortor wrote.

"This is a tremendous loss for our country. I’m so sick to my stomach over this. Rest in peace, Greg, Cristina, Emma, and Ryder," he added.

"I am devastated by the loss of Greg, Cristina, and their children, and my heart is with all who loved them. They were friends who lived their lives focused on helping others. Greg was a great NASCAR champion who thrilled millions of fans. But he was an extraordinary person as well, and will be remembered for his service to others as much as for his fearlessness on the track," Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) said.

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"The Biffles flew hundreds of rescue missions in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene. The last time I spoke with Cristina, just a couple of weeks ago, she reached out to ask how she could help with relief efforts in Jamaica. That’s who the Biffles were. Our prayers are with their family, friends, and everyone grieving this unimaginable loss," he added.

Daily Mail shared:

It comes after Biffle posted a picture of him piloting the very same plane in September.

According to FAA records, the aircraft belongs to the semi-retired NASCAR driver who was seen in a smiling snap with President Donald Trump in February at the NASCAR Cup series in Daytona Beach, Florida.

He married his ex-wife, Nicole Lunders, in October 2007. They share a teenage daughter, Emma Elizabeth, together. The pair got divorced in 2016.

Biffle went on to marry his current wife, Cristina Grossu, in January 2023 after getting engaged in 2021. They share five-year-old Ryder.

Nearly 24 hours before the fatal crash, Cristina posted a picture in the car on her Instagram story with the caption: 'Busy day today.'

She then shared a picture of Martha Stewart with an inspirational statement on it.

 

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