The aviation community and the world of motorsports are in mourning following a devastating private plane crash that claimed the lives of retired NASCAR champion Greg Biffle, his immediate family, and three others. The tragic incident occurred early Thursday morning at Statesville Regional Airport outside Charlotte, North Carolina, leaving seven people dead.
A Heartbreaking Final Message
Mere moments before the fatal crash, Cristina Biffle, Greg's 35-year-old wife, sent a chilling text message to her mother, Cathy Grossu. "She texted me from the plane and she said, 'We're in trouble,'" a tearful Grossu confirmed to People magazine on Friday. The three-word message now stands as a harrowing final communication from the family.
Grossu revealed that the Biffles had been at her home just one day before the accident. They were embarking on a trip to Florida to celebrate Greg's upcoming 56th birthday next Tuesday. "I don't remember what the last words that I said to my daughter or to Greg or to my precious Ryder," Grossu lamented. "But they were happy."
Victims of the Tragic Crash
The crash resulted in the deaths of all seven people on board the twin-engine Cessna C550 jet. The victims included:
- Greg Biffle, 55: The renowned NASCAR driver and 2002 Busch Series champion.
- Cristina Biffle, 35: Greg's wife.
- Ryder Biffle, 5: The couple's young son.
- Emma Biffle, 14: Greg's daughter from his previous marriage to Nicole Lunders.
- Dennis Dutton: The registered pilot of the aircraft.
- Jack Dutton: Dennis Dutton's son, a recently certified single-engine pilot.
- Craig Wadsworth: A beloved motorhome driver for NASCAR racers.
Greg Biffle was known for his community spirit, having used his personal helicopter last year to assist in rescue efforts after Hurricane Helene. He was also reportedly certified in March to fly multi-engine planes.
Investigation and Lingering Questions
Federal authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the North Carolina aviation accident. While flight records viewed by local news indicate pilot Dennis Dutton was cleared to fly such aircraft, they required a second-in-command to be present. It remains unconfirmed who was piloting the plane at the time of the crash.
Social media footage from the scene showed billowing black smoke rising from the airport in the immediate aftermath. The crash has sent shockwaves through the NASCAR community and beyond, with an outpouring of tributes flooding online platforms.
"To think that they would be killed on a birthday trip, that was just such a fun time for the family," Grossu told People. "And to see the horrific way that it ended, it's just, it is so hard to bear. I cannot believe they're gone." As the investigation continues, families and fans are left to grapple with the immense loss of lives cut tragically short.
