UN PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN DR CONGO EXTENDED BY ONE YEAR AS FIGHTING RAGES. (PHOTO)
Federal investigators are examining why a business jet carrying retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and six others crashed shortly after takeoff in North Carolina, killing everyone on board. The Cessna C550 struck light poles and trees before hitting the ground about a third of a mile from the airport runway, erupting into flames. The jet had departed Statesville Regional Airport, north of Charlotte, and crashed while attempting to return less than 10 minutes later.
Flight records show the plane was registered to a company run by Biffle. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recovered the cockpit voice recorder and are probing why the aircraft returned in drizzle and cloudy conditions. The flight carried three pilots: Dennis Dutton, his son Jack, and Biffle. Biffle, 55, was rated to fly helicopters and single- and multi-engine planes but was not qualified to serve as a co-pilot on this jet. Dutton was rated for the aircraft but was required to fly with a co-pilot. Jack Dutton was licensed for single-engine planes only, raising questions about the crew configuration.
Also on board were Biffle’s wife, Cristina, and their children Ryder, 5, and Emma, 14. Cristina reportedly sent her mother a text before the crash saying, “We’re in trouble.” The plane’s speed and altitude fluctuated dramatically, suggesting the crew encountered a serious issue and attempted to return to the airport. At one point, the jet climbed from 1,800 to 4,000 feet before descending rapidly, ultimately striking obstacles only a few hundred feet from the runway.
Biffle was a celebrated NASCAR driver, with more than 50 wins across the sport’s three major series, including a Truck Series championship in 2000 and an Xfinity Series title in 2002. He was also recognized for humanitarian efforts, including delivering aid by helicopter after Hurricane Helene in 2024.
The Statesville airport will remain closed for at least several days as the NTSB continues its investigation into the crash, which aviation experts note occurred in a model of jet known for reliability, with most accidents in this series historically linked to pilot error. Memorials for Biffle have appeared in his hometown of Mooresville, North Carolina, honoring his racing career and contributions to the community.
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