The aviation tragedy in North Carolina has taken a heartbreaking turn, with a close friend confirming that retired NASCAR star Greg Biffle, his wife, and his two children were the passengers aboard the jet that crashed Thursday morning.
While law enforcement has not yet officially released the names of the victims, fellow racer and internet personality Garrett Mitchell—known to fans as “Cleetus McFarland”—shared the devastating news on Facebook shortly after the wreck.
“Unfortunately, I can confirm Greg Biffle, his wife Christina, daughter Emma, and son Ryder were on that plane…because they were on their way to spend the afternoon with us,” Mitchell wrote. “We are devastated. I’m so sorry to share this.”
READ: NASCAR Star Greg Biffle Linked To Deadly Private Jet Inferno In North Carolina
The crash occurred around 10:20 a.m. at Statesville Regional Airport. The FAA and local authorities confirmed that the Cessna C550, which records show is owned by Biffle’s company GB Aviation Leasing, went down while attempting to land, resulting in multiple fatalities.
“Way Too Low”
Harrowing details have emerged regarding the moments before the impact. A witness near the Lakewood Golf Club told local outlet WSOC that they spotted the aircraft flying “way too low” just before it went down.
The weather may have played a role in the disaster. WSOC reported that their own news chopper was forced to turn back from the scene due to “inclement weather conditions” that had reduced visibility at the airport to roughly five miles.
A Racing Titan and His Family
Biffle, 55, was a titan of the sport who began his NASCAR career in 1995. He holds the rare distinction of winning championships in both the Busch Series (2002) and the Craftsman Truck Series, racking up 19 race wins between 2003 and 2016.
He is survived by a legacy of speed and community service, having recently bonded with Mitchell over hurricane relief efforts.
The passengers reportedly included Biffle’s wife, Christina Grossu, whom he married in 2023, their 5-year-old son Ryder, and his 14-year-old daughter Emma, whom he shared with his ex-wife.
The FAA is currently leading the investigation into the cause of the crash.
This is a developing story.
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