Seven Dead, Including NASCAR Driver Greg Biffle and His Family, After Tragic North Carolina Plane Crash — Here’s What We Know

A private plane crashed and burst into flames near Statesville, North Carolina, on Thursday, December 18, 2025, killing all seven people on board.

The plane had just taken off and was trying to return to the runway when it slammed into a field and caught fire. Now, witnesses and aviation experts are speaking out about what may have gone wrong, as tributes pour in for the family at the center of the tragedy.

Among the seven victims were four members of one family: retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, and their two children, Emma, 14, and Ryder, 5. The other victims were Dennis Dutton, his son Jack, and Craig Wadsworth. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol released the names on Friday, December 19.

The jet, a Cessna C550, took off from Statesville Regional Airport, located about 45 miles north of Charlotte. Weather conditions at the time included drizzle and low cloud cover. The plane crashed shortly after takeoff while attempting to return to the runway.

The aircraft was registered to a company operated by Biffle, according to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records. He was also rated to fly helicopters, as well as single- and multi-engine planes. It was not immediately clear if he was piloting the aircraft at the time of the crash.

Footage shows the private jet crashing into a field and erupting in a massive fireball just moments after takeoff. Captured by a nearby security camera and published by KSLA News 12, the video documents the aircraft’s final seconds before impact.

In the clip, the jet hits the ground and explodes, sending flames surging across the grass and thick black smoke rising into the sky. The fire spreads rapidly, with flames yards from nearby vehicles and buildings.

The camera, positioned in a parking lot close to the crash site, captures the full scale of the explosion, from impact to the rising plume of smoke.

The footage spread quickly online, and the contents match several eyewitness reports describing a low-flying aircraft, a violent impact, and a fast-moving fire.

Residents near Statesville Regional Airport were left reeling as the jet plunged from the sky, trailing smoke and flames, before smashing into the ground with terrifying force.

At Lakewood Golf Club, which borders the airport, golfers watched in horror as the aircraft roared overhead and debris rained down across the course. “We were like, ‘Oh my gosh! That’s way too low,'” said Joshua Green. “It was scary.”

Nearby on Airport Road, James Jones heard sirens and stepped outside to a chaotic scene. Thick black smoke was rising fast. “At first it was just a flame, then black smoke,” he noted. “I thought it was a house because there are residences on that side, too.”

Across from the airport, Alex Etman described the crash as deeply unsettling, especially given how normal the skies had always felt. “We are pretty close,” he recalled.

Etman also added that the crash felt “spooky” close to home. He noted that his neighborhood typically sees frequent plane traffic, especially after NASCAR races when the teams fly back. Until now, everything had always felt routine and uneventful, which made the sudden tragedy all the more unsettling.

Meanwhile, Michael Wingo had been standing on his porch with his dog, completely unaware that tragedy was about to unfold just across the field. “I looked over and saw it. When it exploded, I could feel the heat from here,” he shared.

The blast prompted him to call 911. He later said the possibility that the plane could have struck his house, had it approached from a different angle, left him deeply shaken.

Aviation expert Greg Feith, a former senior air safety investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), told NBC that early flight data points to engine trouble. He explained that while pilots can land with one engine, a severe failure may lead to total loss of control.

“In the flight path, it looks like they’re trying to fly a normalized pattern to get back to the runway that they took off on rather than taking a 200-degree turn and land opposite direction,” Feith said. “Land slightly downwind if you need to, but get the airplane on the ground under control and that’s the key.”

Feith added that investigators will examine the flight’s timeline, crew response, and the aircraft’s maintenance history to determine what went wrong.

As investigators searched for answers, heartbreak rippled across the racing community and beyond. Tributes poured in for Greg’s family from those who knew the family both professionally and personally.

Garrett Mitchell, a close friend of the Biffles, revealed on Facebook that the family had been on their way to visit him when the tragedy occurred. He called the loss devastating.

Over X, North Carolina Congressman Tim Moore praised Biffle not only for his prowess on the track but for his efforts off it, highlighting his support for local recovery after Hurricane Helene.

On the same platform, fellow NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer described Biffle as a skilled racer, a generous individual, and a devoted family man.

In an official statement, NASCAR honored Biffle as a champion across multiple racing series, a respected figure in the sport, and a man who had given back through service and disaster relief. The organization extended its condolences to all families affected.

Just weeks earlier, on November 12, South African TV host Mynie Steffens died in a helicopter crash, marking another tragic loss in the skies.

Steffens, 43, the beloved co-host of the VIA channel’s “Speel met Vuur,” was alone on the morning of November 10 when the aircraft she was piloting slammed into power lines during a crop-spraying mission and plummeted to the ground in a devastating impact.

Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli confirmed the crash occurred around 8 a.m. The Accidents and Incidents Investigations Division has already opened a case to determine the cause of the deadly accident involving a Robinson R22 helicopter.

Steffens, who held credentials as a licensed pilot instructor, was operating the flight over Roodegrond Farm near Patensie, an Eastern Cape region known for its sweeping orange fields.

“The helicopter itself was substantially damaged due to impact force,” authorities said. At the time, Investigators would release a preliminary report within 30 days, as questions continued to swirl about what caused the fatal descent.

Local farm owner Ruan Scheepers was alerted to the horrifying news by one of his workers who witnessed the aftermath. The situation was scary for everyone, according to the farm owner, and he later offered his condolences to Steffens’ family in the wake of the heartbreaking accident.

Private security firm Exec Ops ARO was dispatched to the scene, arriving alongside emergency responders and other authorities.

In a solemn post shared on Facebook, the company stated it would refrain from releasing further details on social media “due to the sensitive nature of the incident,” but still extended a respectful message of sympathy.

Steffens was not just a television host. She was an important figure in the South African culinary and lifestyle space, known for her flair, warmth, and bold creativity.

Her longtime friend and co-host, Aldi van der Walt, expressed devastation in an interview with local outlet, IOL, calling the situation a “massive shock” and adding that she was still trying to deal with the “tragic loss.”

“Mynie lived life to the full,” Van der Walt said. “She was always full of ideas that had transformed into successful endeavours, and then executing that with success, winning over people as she went along.”

The pair’s journey began as teenagers on the hockey field at Nico Malan High in Humansdrop. Sixteen years later, they reunited to build a dream that became “Speel met Vuur” (“Play with Fire”), a hit cooking series defined by its bold visuals and adventurous spirit.