Fatalities Reported After Private Jet Linked To NASCAR Driver Crashes In North Carolina
on Dec 18, 2025
At approximately 10:20 a.m. on Thursday, December 18th, a Cessna C550 business jet crashed at the Statesville Regional Airport north of Charlotte, North Carolina.
A local official confirmed ot Fox News that an aircraft, with the tail number N257BW, crashed at the end of the runway shortly after takeoff.
The jet is operated by GB Aviation Leasing LLC, which is owned by former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle. The jet is available for lease as a private charter, and reports indicate that six individuals were on board at the time of the crash. It is feared that Biffle and his family members may have been among them.
The FAA and the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office report multiple fatalities as a result of the crash. The identities of the victims are not yet known.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating. The agency shared:
“NTSB is launching a go team to investigate the fatal crash of a Cessna Citation C550 jet in Statesville, North Carolina. The team expects to arrive on scene tonight.”
See footage from the fatal crash in the video below.
@abc11news Several people are dead after a small private jet crashed shortly after takeoff in Statesville, North Carolina, according to a local sheriff's office official. Link in bio.
♬ original sound – ABC11
This is a developing story; check back for updates.
Who Is Greg Biffle?
55-year-old Greg Biffle is a professional stock car racing driver best known for his success across NASCAR’s top three national series. He is one of the few drivers to win championships across the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (2000), the NASCAR Xfinity Series (2002), and the NASCAR Cup Series (2nd overall in 2005).
His last full-time Cup Series season was 2016, and he stepped away from NASCAR competition without a formal retirement announcement.
Biffle has been married to his wife, Cristina Grossu, since 2023. They share a 5-year-old son, Ryder. He also has a daughter, Emma, 14, with ex-wife Nicole Lunders.
