Seven individuals, including NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, son Ryder, and daughter Emma, lost their lives in a tragic plane crash.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol disclosed the heartbreaking news on Thursday, December 18, during a late afternoon press conference, confirming the fatalities of seven people.
“It is believed, of those seven occupants, that Mr. Greg Biffle, 55 years old, and his immediate family, were on board the aircraft,” First Sergeant Christopher Knox informed reporters. “The reason we can’t give you a definitive list of those seven occupants, is because of the post-crash fire.”
North Carolina congressman and family friend Rep. Richard Hudson revealed that Biffle and his family were among the victims, with details about the other three casualties still pending.
“I am devastated by the loss of Greg, Cristina, and their children, and my heart is with all who loved them,” Hudson wrote on X on Thursday, Dec. 18. “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.”
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…
— Rep. Richard Hudson (@RepRichHudson) December 18, 2025
Garrett Mitchell, known to many as Cleetus McFarland, and a close friend of Biffle’s, also confirmed the tragedy and shared a poignant detail.
In a Facebook post, Mitchell wrote, “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.”
Details about the crash circumstances are limited, but initial reports indicate the plane was owned by Biffle.
An eyewitness near Lakewood Golf Club told WSOC that the plane appeared to be flying “way too low” before the crash.
WSOC also reported that its news chopper had to turn back due to poor visibility caused by adverse weather conditions, which reduced the airport’s visibility to about 5 miles.
The Cessna C550 departed from Statesville Regional Airport, near Charlotte, North Carolina, en route to Sarasota, Florida. However, the flight was diverted, and the plane attempted to return and land.
The crash occurred around 10:15 a.m., and the aircraft immediately caught fire.
In a statement, Statesville Regional Airport confirmed the incident: “We can confirm there has been an aircraft incident at the Statesville Regional Airport. At approximately 10:15 a.m., an aircraft crashed while landing. The Federal Aviation Administration is en route and will investigate the incident.”
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will conduct an investigation into the crash, with the NTSB taking the lead.
Greg Biffle was a celebrated NASCAR figure, recognized as one of the top 75 drivers in the sport’s history due to his exceptional performance.
His career highlights include winning championships in two national series and competing as a long-time Cup contender.
Biffle raced full-time in the Cup Series from 2002 to 2016, achieving 19 wins in 515 starts.
He finished in the top 10 in the standings six times, with a notable runner-up points finish in 2005.
Beyond racing, Biffle was known for his humanitarian efforts, serving as a rescue pilot during Hurricane Helene relief missions in western North Carolina.
He married Cristina Grossu in 2022, and they had a 5-year-old son named Ryder. Biffle also had a 14-year-old daughter, Emma, from his previous marriage to Nicole Lunders.