Seven Dead, Including NASCAR Driver Greg Biffle and His Family, After Tragic North Carolina Plane Crash
In North Carolina, a private jet crashed shortly after takeoff, killing a former NASCAR racer, his wife, and two kids.
On Thursday, December 18, 2025, a private aircraft crashed and caught fire close to Statesville, North Carolina, killing all seven occupants.
The aircraft crashed into a field and caught fire as it attempted to return to the runway after taking off. As condolences flood in for the family at the heart of the tragedy, witnesses and aviation specialists are now speaking out about what might have gone wrong.
Victims Named as Investigators Look at Weather and Flight Path
Four members of one family—retired NASCAR racer Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, and their two daughters, Ryder, age five, and Emma, age fourteen—were among the seven victims.
Craig Wadsworth, Dennis Dutton, and his son Jack were the other casualties. On Friday, December 19, the names were made public by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
About 45 miles north of Charlotte, at Statesville Regional Airport, the aircraft, a Cessna C550, took off. At the time, there was a lot of cloud cover and drizzle. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft crashed as it tried to return to the runway.
According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) documents, the aircraft was registered to a business that Biffle operated. In addition, he was certified to operate single- and multi-engine aircraft and helicopters. Whether he was flying the plane at the time of the disaster was not immediately apparent.
Jet’s Last Seconds Before Explosion Are Captured on Video
Shortly after taking off, the private plane is seen on camera falling into a field and exploding in a huge blaze. The video, which was captured by a neighboring security camera and shown by KSLA News 12, shows the last moments of the airplane before it collides.
The video shows the jet colliding with the ground and exploding, causing dense black smoke to rise into the sky and flames to spread across the field. The flames are only yards away from surrounding cars and structures as the fire spreads quickly.
The entire scope of the explosion, from impact to the rising cloud of smoke, is captured by the camera, which is placed in a parking lot near the crash site.
The video instantly went viral on the internet, and its contents corroborate multiple eyewitness accounts of a low-flying aircraft, a hard crash, and a rapidly spreading fire.
Witnesses Explain the Collision
The jet plummeted from the sky, leaving behind smoke and flames, and then crashed into the earth with horrifying power, leaving residents near Statesville Regional Airport in shock.
Golfers at Lakewood Golf Club, which is adjacent to the airport, stared in fear as debris fell across the course and the plane screamed overhead. “We thought, ‘Oh my god! “That’s way too low,” Joshua Green remarked. “It was scary.”
James Jones heard sirens nearby on Airport Road and went outdoors to find a chaotic scene. Black smoke, thick, was rising quickly. “At first it was just a flame, then black smoke,” he said. “I thought it was a house because there are residences on that side, too.”
Alex Etman, who lives across from the airport, said the incident was quite disturbing because the sky had always seemed so regular. “We are pretty close,” he remembered.
Etman also mentioned how “spooky” the crash felt near home. He mentioned that there is always a lot of plane traffic in his neighborhood, particularly after NASCAR races when the teams fly back.
The abrupt catastrophe was all the more disturbing because, up until now, things had always been normal and uneventful.
Michael Wingo, on the other hand, was standing on his porch with his dog, totally oblivious to the catastrophe that was about to happen across the field. “I noticed it when I glanced over. I could feel the heat from here when it burst,” he said.
He called 911 after the boom. He then stated that he was extremely scared by the thought that the plane might have hit his house if it had arrived from a different direction.
According to an aviation expert, engine trouble may be a contributing factor.
Early flight data suggests engine issue, according to aviation expert Greg Feith, a former senior air safety investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), who spoke to NBC.
He clarified that although pilots may land using just one engine, a serious malfunction could result in complete loss of control.
“In the flight path, it looks like they’re trying to fly a normalized pattern to get back to the runway that they took off on rather than taking a 200-degree turn and land opposite direction,” Feith stated. “Land slightly downwind if you need to, but get the airplane on the ground under control and that’s the key.”
To ascertain what went wrong, investigators will look at the flight’s timeline, the crew’s actions, and the aircraft’s maintenance history, Feith continued.
Honors From the Racing Community and Other Fields Recall Greg Biffle and his family
Heartbreak spread throughout the racing scene and beyond as investigators looked for answers. People who knew Greg’s family, both personally and professionally, sent their condolences.
The Biffles’ close friend Garrett Mitchell disclosed on Facebook that the family was in route to see him at the time of the tragedy. He described the loss as heartbreaking.
Congressman Tim Moore of North Carolina commended Biffle over X for both his on-track and off-track accomplishments, emphasizing his support for the local rehabilitation following Hurricane Helene.
Clint Bowyer, another NASCAR driver, said on the same platform that Biffle was a good racer, a kind person, and a loving family man.
In a formal statement, NASCAR recognized Biffle as a champion in several racing series, a well-known personality in the industry, and a man who had contributed to disaster relief and service. The organization sent its sympathies to all impacted families.
Only a few weeks prior, Mynie Steffens, a South African TV host, lost her life in a helicopter crash on November 12.
On the morning of November 10, Steffens, 43, the adored co-host of the VIA channel’s “Speel met Vuur,” was by herself when the plane she was flying crashed into power lines while on a crop-spraying operation and fell to the earth in a catastrophic collision.
Farmland Is in Chaos Majola Nkohli, the warrant officer, stated that the crash happened at approximately 8 a.m. A case has already been initiated by the Accidents and Incidents Investigations Division to ascertain what caused the fatal Robinson R22 helicopter crash.
Steffens was flying over Roodegrond Farm near Patensie, an Eastern Cape location renowned for its expansive orange fields. Steffens was certified as a qualified pilot instructor.
“The helicopter itself was substantially damaged due to impact force,” according to police. At the time, there were still many unanswered issues regarding the cause of the tragic plunge, and investigators planned to publish a preliminary report within 30 days.
Reports and Quick Response
One of Ruan Scheepers’ employees saw the aftermath and informed him of the terrible news. In the wake of the tragic catastrophe, the farm owner later expressed his condolences to Steffens’ family, saying that the situation was frightening for everyone.
Along with other authorities and emergency services, the private security company Exec Ops ARO was sent to the scene.
The company said in a somber Facebook post that it will not be sharing any further information on social media “due to the sensitive nature of the incident,” although it did send a polite message of condolence.
Steffens was more than just a TV host, according to Culinary Trailblazer Mourned. Known for her flare, friendliness, and audacious originality, she was a significant player in South Africa’s culinary and lifestyle scene.
In an interview with the local publication IOL, her longtime friend and co-host Aldi van der Walt voiced her sadness, calling the incident a “massive shock” and stating that she was still attempting to cope with the “tragic loss.”
“Mynie lived life to the full,” Van der Walt remarked. “She was always full of ideas that had transformed into successful endeavours, and then executing that with success, winning over people as she went along.”
