Famous NASCAR Driver Greg Biffle Dead After Plane Crash, Rep Says

Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle died after his plane crashed Thursday at a North Carolina airport, killing multiple people aboard, a congressman and a friend confirmed.

The Cessna C550 went down while landing at Statesville Regional Airport, which serves Fortune 500 companies and several NASCAR teams, around 10:15 a.m., The Associated Press (AP) reported. Republican North Carolina Rep. Richard Hudson confirmed that Biffle, his wife Christina and their children were aboard.

“They were friends who lived their lives focused on others,” Hudson wrote. “Greg was a great NASCAR champion who thrilled millions of fans. But he was an extraordinary person as well, and will be remembered for his service to others as much as for his fearlessness on the track.”

“The Biffles flew hundreds of rescue missions in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene,” he continued.

I am devastated by the loss of Greg, Cristina, and their children, and my heart is with all who loved them.

They were friends who lived their lives focused on helping others. Greg was a great NASCAR champion who thrilled millions of fans. But he was an extraordinary person as…

— Rep. Richard Hudson (@RepRichHudson) December 18, 2025

Garrett Mitchell, a friend of Biffle, also announced their deaths on Facebook. “Unfortunately, I can confirm Greg Mitchell, his wife Christina, daughter Emma, and son Ryder were on that plane… because they were on their way to spend the afternoon with us,” he wrote.

Six people were on the aircraft, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) told the Daily Caller. The National Transportation Safety Board is in charge of the investigation.

The plane took off from Statesville shortly after 10 a.m. before returning to attempt a landing, according to flight tracking data from FlightAware.com. AccuWeather reported drizzle and clouds in the area at the time of the incident, the AP reported.

Witnesses at the adjacent Lakewood Golf Club watched the disaster unfold. Joshua Green of Mooresville said he saw the plane flying dangerously low before impact. (RELATED: NASCAR’s H.A. ‘Humpy’ Wheeler Dead At 86)

“We were like, ‘Oh my gosh! That’s way too low,’” Green said. “It was scary.”

Debris from the crash landed on the golf course’s ninth hole, according to the AP. Some golfers dropped to the ground as the aircraft passed overhead.

Biffle won 19 races during his Cup Series career from 2002 to 2016, according to NASCAR Hall. He claimed the Truck Series championship in 2000 and the Xfinity Series title in 2002, becoming the first driver to win both. NASCAR labeled him one of its 75 Greatest Drivers.

Emergency crews including HazMat, EMS and fire units responded to the scene, Statesville Regional Airport said on Facebook. The Atlanta Air Traffic Control Center was informed about the incident.

Statesville Regional Airport sits roughly 45 miles north of Charlotte, according to the AP.

The Daily Caller has reached out to Statesville Regional Airport for comment.