The plane that crashed Thursday in Statesville, N.C., killing seven people, including former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, turned back toward the airport shortly after takeoff and did not issue a Mayday call, the National Transportation Safety Board said Friday.
In addition to Biffle, the victims included his wife, Cristina, their son, Ryder, and his daughter, Emma, along with Dennis Dutton and his son, Jack, and Craig Wadsworth, according to authorities. The plane was attempting to land on Runway 28 — the same runway from which it took off.
The plane, which was owned by Biffle, crashed at approximately 10:15 a.m. ET Thursday. “The airplane had taken off at approximately 10:05 a.m.,” said Dan Baker of the NTSB in a Friday news conference. “The airplane had departed runway 28 at the Statesville Regional Airport.”
Baker said the aircraft turned west before turning back east in an attempt to return to the airport five minutes after takeoff. It is not known who was flying the plane, the NTSB said. Three of the plane’s occupants had a license to fly, including Biffle.
“The initial point of impact was a runway light stanchion located about 1,800 feet from the runway threshold,” Baker said. “The airplane subsequently impacted trees, other runway light stanchions and the airport perimeter fence short of the runway threshold before coming to rest near the runway threshold.”
Fire consumed the majority of the fuselage and the inboard wing sections, Baker said. He added that it was drizzling at the time of the crash, but the winds were calm.
NTSB: Greg Biffle investigation a ‘long process’
“I want to emphasize this is the beginning of a very long process,” said Michael Graham of the NTSB in regard to the investigation of the crash. “We will not jump to any conclusions while we’re here on the scene in North Carolina, nor will we speculate.”
Biffle won 19 NASCAR Cup Series races as well as a championship in both the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Busch Series. He was a NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee and named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023. The Vancouver, Washington, native would have turned 56 on Dec. 23.
Graham said a preliminary report of the accident is expected within 30 days.
“However, a full investigation lasts 12 to 18 months before a final report is released,” Graham said. “The information we provide today is preliminary and it is subject to change over the course of this investigation.”
