A Cessna Citation II business jet crashed while attempting to land at Statesville Regional Airport in Statesville, North Carolina, killing everyone aboard. Authorities said there were seven people on the aircraft and reported a large post-crash fire. The New York Times reported the plane was registered to retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, and multiple outlets reported he and family members were among those killed, as officials worked to notify victims’ relatives and confirm identities.
Highlights:
- Flight path: Investigators said the jet took off from Statesville Regional Airport and then tried to return shortly after departure before crashing.
- Aircraft model: The aircraft was identified as a Cessna C550 (Citation II) in the reports.
- Victim identificat...
A Cessna Citation II business jet crashed while attempting to land at Statesville Regional Airport in Statesville, North Carolina, killing everyone aboard. Authorities said there were seven people on the aircraft and reported a large post-crash fire. The New York Times reported the plane was registered to retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, and multiple outlets reported he and family members were among those killed, as officials worked to notify victims’ relatives and confirm identities.
Highlights:
- Flight path: Investigators said the jet took off from Statesville Regional Airport and then tried to return shortly after departure before crashing.
- Aircraft model: The aircraft was identified as a Cessna C550 (Citation II) in the reports.
- Victim identification: Officials did not immediately release victims’ names as notifications were pending, according to reporting.
- Local response: A local sheriff publicly noted the aircraft’s registration to Greg Biffle as authorities responded to the crash scene.
Perspectives:
- North Carolina State Highway Patrol: Troopers described the jet as departing the local airport, attempting to return, and crashing with a large fire upon impact. (South China Morning Post)
- Local authorities: Officials emphasized that they were not immediately releasing names while next-of-kin notifications were underway, even as the aircraft’s registration drew public attention. (The New York Times)
- ABC News reporting: ABC News identified the victims as including stock car racer Greg Biffle and his family and reported the crash occurred during landing at the regional airport. (ABC News)
- PJ Media reporting: PJ Media reported an update citing sources saying Biffle and his family were on board the aircraft. (PJ Media)
Sources:
- 7 Dead After Plane Registered to NASCAR Driver Greg Biffle Crashes, Officials Say - nytimes.com
- Retired Nascar driver Greg Biffle and family among 7 killed in US plane crash - scmp.com
- [UPDATED] Plane Belonging to NASCAR Star Crashes in North Carolina - pjmedia.com
- Seven people, including stock car racer Greg Biffle and his family, are killed after Biffle's Cessna Citation II crashes while landing at Statesville Regional Airport in Statesville, North Carolina, United States. - abcnews.go.com