A private jet crashed moments after takeoff near Statesville Regional Airport on December 18, 2025, killing all seven people on board. Among the victims were former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife, and their two young children, along with three others. The aircraft attempted to return to the runway in poor weather before slamming into a field and exploding in a massive fireball, according to video footage and eyewitness accounts.
Investigators believe possible engine trouble may have caused the crash, and the FAA and NTSB are reviewing the flight path, crew actions, and maintenance history. As the investigation continues, tributes have poured in from across the racing world, including NASCAR, honoring Biffle as a respected champion, devoted family man, and humanitarian whose loss has deeply shaken the community.