US Small Plane Crash Kills 7, Retired NASCAR Champion Driver Among Victims

A small plane crashed while landing at the Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina, USA, on Thursday morning (December 18, local time), resulting in the deaths of all 7 people onboard, including retired NASCAR champion driver Greg Biffle and his family of four.

According to reports by US media outlets CBS and ABC, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated: "A Cessna C550 aircraft crashed while landing at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina around 10:20 a.m. local time on December 18. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will conduct an investigation, with the NTSB leading the investigation and releasing subsequent updates."

According to closed-circuit television footage released by Brevin Renwick, images show the plane skidding along the runway after the crash, turning the runway into a 'trail of fire.'

An airport spokesperson said the aircraft crashed while attempting to return to the runway. Statesville Regional Airport is located about 45 miles (4.8 kilometers) north of Charlotte and is a non-towered airport, where pilots must self-report their positions using a shared radio frequency.

The airport's automated weather station recorded low clouds, light rain, and visibility of less than three miles about 80 minutes after the accident. It is not yet clear whether these weather conditions existed at the time of the crash.

FAA records show the aircraft was owned by GB Aviation Leasing LLC, a company based in North Carolina. According to state business registration records, former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle was listed as the company's manager.

North Carolina state police and Governor Josh Stein both expressed their belief that Greg Biffle perished in the accident. At a press conference, a state police spokesperson explained that forensic identification procedures are still underway, but ground personnel had witnessed Biffle board the plane before takeoff.

NASCAR subsequently issued a statement: "NASCAR is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Greg Biffle, his wife Kristina, daughter Emma, son Ryder, Craig Wadsworth, and Dennis and Jack Dutton, in the plane crash. Greg was not only a champion driver, but also a beloved member of the NASCAR family, a fierce competitor, and a friend to many. His passion for racing, integrity, and dedication to fans and colleagues have left a lasting impact on the sport."