The NASCAR community is reeling after confirmation that former Cup Series driver Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina Biffle, and their fourteen year old daughter Emma were among those killed in a fiery private jet crash in North Carolina on Thursday.
The tragedy unfolded just after 10:15 a.m. when a Cessna Citation aircraft went down while attempting to land at Statesville Regional Airport. The plane erupted into flames on the right side of the runway, sending thick black smoke into the air and prompting an immediate emergency response.
Initial reports indicated that multiple people were feared dead, though authorities had not officially confirmed fatalities earlier in the day. That changed after friends and associates of the Biffle family publicly acknowledged their loss.
Matt Van Swol, a friend of the family, wrote on social media that it had been confirmed Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, their daughter Emma, and their young son Ryder had “passed on from this earth and into the glory of God.”
Additional confirmation came from Garrett Mitchell, also known as Cleetus McFarland, who stated that the family had been aboard the aircraft and were en route to visit him at the time of the crash.
“Unfortunately, I can confirm Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, and son Ryder were on that plane, because they were on their way to spend the afternoon with us,” Mitchell wrote. “We are devastated. I’m so sorry to share this.”
The confirmation came from Greg Biffles friend, Garrett Mitchell (AKA Cleetus McFarland) who says they were on the way to see him.
Please pray, this is horrible. pic.twitter.com/jqTbdY2jmI
— Matt Van Swol (@mattvanswol) December 18, 2025
FAA records show the aircraft was owned by GB Aviation Leasing LLC, which is linked to Biffle. It was not immediately clear who was piloting the plane or whether mechanical issues contributed to the crash. The Cessna Citation II typically carries eight to ten passengers.
Photos from the scene showed the aircraft completely engulfed in flames. Witnesses at the nearby Lakewood Golf Club told reporters the plane appeared to be flying “way too low” moments before impact.
WATCH:
🚨#BREAKING: The plane that has crashed in North Carolina is confirmed to be owned by Greg Biffle.
Greg is the NASCAR driver and hero who flew hundreds of rescue missions in Western North Carolina in his helicopter after Hurricane Helene. pic.twitter.com/Wyq7pVLwaS
— Matt Van Swol (@mattvanswol) December 18, 2025
Born on December 23, 1969, in Vancouver, Washington, Biffle rose through NASCAR’s ranks during the late 1990s and early 2000s, quickly earning a reputation as a consistent and competitive driver.
He was one of the few drivers in NASCAR history to win championships in more than one national series. He captured the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship in 2000 and followed it with a Busch Series, now known as the Xfinity Series, championship in 2002. Those accomplishments helped solidify his status as one of the sport’s top talents and led to a full-time opportunity in the NASCAR Cup Series.
In the Cup Series, Biffle spent more than a decade as a mainstay, driving the No. 16 Ford for Roush Fenway Racing. He earned multiple race wins and playoff appearances and recorded his best Cup Series finish in 2005, when he placed second in the overall standings. Known for his steady driving style and versatility, Biffle was competitive on a variety of tracks, from short tracks to superspeedways.
After stepping away from full-time racing in the late 2010s, Biffle largely stayed out of the spotlight compared to many former drivers. Biffle is remembered as one of the more accomplished drivers of his era, particularly for his rare achievement of winning championships at multiple levels of NASCAR.
