Private jet crashes making emergency landing at Statesville airport in North Carolina is feared to have killed all six on board Cessna 550 Citation II jet including jet owner Nascar driver, Greg Biffle and wife, Cristina Grossu and their 2 children. Plane had circled back moments after take off.
A Cessna 550 Citation II, N257BW, plane has crashed while making an emergency landing at Statesville Regional Airport, North Carolina.
Initial reports indicated six occupants onboard, including Nascar driver, Greg Biffle, 55 and wife, Cristina Grossu and their two children when the plane crashed around 10:15 a.m. on Dec. 18. It was expected that there would be no survivors.
Greg Biffle wife Cristina Grossu tragic final Instagram post before plane crash
Greg Biffle Nascar wife, Cristina sent last desperate text to mom moments before plane crashing
According to flight tracking data the aircraft made a return to the airport shortly after take off. It remained unclear what led to the pilot seeking to return to the airport. Initial reports indicated the plane experiencing engine problems forcing the pilot to return.
The plane, which was on its way to Sarasota, Florida, was seen engulfed in flames as emergency crews rushed to the terrifying scene, about 45 minutes from Charlotte.
According to the city of Statesville’s website, the airport is city-owned and provides corporate aviation facilities for Fortune 500 companies and several NASCAR teams.
The airport is not far from the I-77/I-40 interchange, about 10 minutes outside downtown Statesville.
Local news outlet WBTV reported that they were informed there were fatalities, however authorities have not confirmed any deaths.
Doomed Statesville plane owned by Nascar driver Greg Biffle
Witnesses who were at nearby Lakewood Golf Club said the plane was flying ‘way to low’ before it crashed.
Statesville Regional Airport said in a statement: ‘We can confirm there has been an aircraft incident at the Statesville Regional Airport.
‘At approximately 10:15am, an aircraft crashed while landing. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is en route and will investigate the incident.’
WSOC-TV cited records stating that the private jet was owned by a NASCAR driver. Further reports stated the private jet was owned by GB Aviation Leasing LLC, a company linked to former Nascar driver, Greg Biffle.
Authorities had yet to confirm who was on board the fated plane, nevertheless initial reports indicated Greg Biffle and wife Cristina and their children being on board. Nevertheless, Garrett Mitchell shared that the family of four were on the way to spend Thursday afternoon to see him when the tragedy occurred.
Greg Biffle & wife Cristina Grossu
Biffle began his NASCAR career in 1995. He was one of just three drivers ever to win a championship in both the Busch Series and the Craftsman Truck Series. He was also named the 2001 Rookie of the Year in the NASCAR Busch Series before going on to becoming the 2002 champion. Biffle won 19 races from 2003 to 2016.
Biffle made headlines last year for flying the plane around The Tar Heel State, rescuing stranded citizens, and running emergency relief during Hurricane Helene.
The former NASCAR driver, is married to Cristina Grossu with the couple wedding in January 2023 in the Bahamas after getting engaged in 2021 and share a son, Ryder Jack, born in 2020. Biffle also shares daughter Emma, 14, with ex-wife Nicole Lunders.
Cristina is a successful realtor, businesswoman, and mom who also co-pilots adventures and supports her husband’s ventures, with the couple often seen together at events and on social media.
Not immediately clear is who was piloting the doomed plane.
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation.
