A tragic incident unfolded on the morning of December 18th when a plane, reportedly owned by ex-NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, crashed in North Carolina, leaving behind a devastating toll with multiple fatalities. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the crash occurred at around 10:20 a.m. on that fateful day.
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Local authorities and the FAA have initiated an investigation into the crash which happened at the Statesville Regional Airport. A distressing element to this already heartbreaking event was the presence of inclement weather conditions and fog, as reported by a local news station whose chopper had to “turn back” while attempting to get to the crash site.
According to records obtained, the Cessna C550 aircraft involved in the crash is registered under Biffle’s name, 55, through GB Aviation Leasing. Both WSOC and Fox 8 news outlets confirmed this information, noting that the address associated with GB Aviation matches Biffle’s own address. Tragically, reports from both WSOC and the Associated Press indicate that there have been fatalities as a result of the crash.
As details continue to unfold, little information has been disclosed regarding the passengers on board or the circumstances leading up to the crash. The FAA has asserted that both they and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will be conducting a thorough investigation into the incident and will provide updates as they become available.
A chilling eyewitness account stated that the plane appeared to be flying at an unusually low altitude just before the crash, as shared by a witness near Lakewood Golf Club. The adverse weather conditions, particularly the fog, posed a challenge even for news stations attempting to cover the tragic event, with limited visibility barriers impeding their efforts.
Fog was highlighted as a contributing element that forced the news station’s chopper to retreat, although it remains unclear whether the weather played a direct role in the crash itself. The ongoing investigation is focused on uncovering the factors that led to this devastating outcome.
Greg Biffle, a notable figure in the NASCAR realm, commenced his racing journey back in 1995, achieving significant milestones such as clinching championships in both the Busch Series and the Craftsman Truck Series. His accolades include securing the title of Rookie of the Year in the NASCAR Busch Series in 2001 and ultimately claiming the championship in 2002.
Biffle’s personal life, including his marriage to Cristina Grossu in 2023 and their shared son Ryder, has been thrust into the spotlight amidst this tragedy. He also has a daughter, Emma, 14, from a previous marriage with Nicole Lunders. As the aviation community mourns this loss, the circumstances surrounding the crash are under intense scrutiny, awaiting further revelations from the investigative authorities.