The plane had barely lifted off the runway when everything went wrong.

In a heartbreaking and sudden tragedy, former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife, and their two young children were among seven people killed when a private jet crashed moments after takeoff in North Carolina.

What was meant to be a routine flight turned into a fireball that witnesses say they will never forget.

Wife and young children

On Thursday, December 18, 2025, emergency crews rushed into action after a private plane crashed and erupted into flames near Statesville, North Carolina.

The private jet departed Statesville Regional Airport on a drizzly morning, with low clouds hanging over the area.

Seconds after takeoff, the aircraft appeared to be in trouble.

Investigators later determined that the pilot attempted to return to the runway, but the plane lost altitude rapidly and slammed into an open field, erupting into flames on impact.

All seven people on board were killed.

Among them was retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife Christina, and their two children, Emma, 14, and Ryder, 5. According to reports, the aircraft was owned by Greg Biffle himself.

In 2023, Greg Biffle was named one of NASCAR’s 75 greatest drivers. Over the course of his Cup Series career, he recorded 19 race victories.

Although he stepped away from the sport and returned multiple times, Biffle competed in the NASCAR Cup Series across two decades, from 2002 through 2022.

On X, NASCAR confirmed the tragic news:

”The NASCAR family is devastated at the loss of Greg Biffle, who was one of our 75 greatest drivers and became known for his relentless post-career humanitarian work. We extend our deepest condolences.”

The remaining victims were identified as Dennis Dutton, his son Jack, and Craig Wadsworth. Their names were released by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol on Friday, December 19.

Chilling video captured the final seconds

The investigation is ongoing into what went wrong when the plane, a Cessna C550, crashed. Surveillance footage from a nearby parking lot captured the jet’s final moments.

In the video, the aircraft descends sharply before striking the ground and exploding, sending flames racing across the field and thick black smoke spiraling into the sky. Vehicles and buildings appear dangerously close to the blaze.

The footage quickly spread online, mirroring what multiple witnesses on the ground described: a low-flying plane, a violent impact, and a fire that spread with terrifying speed.

“Oh my gosh — that’s way too low”

People near the airport knew instantly that something was wrong. At Lakewood Golf Club, which borders the runway, golfers watched the jet pass overhead, according to AP.

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

Nearby residents described seeing flames almost immediately.

“At first it was just a flame, then black smoke,” said James Jones, who initially thought a nearby house had caught fire. “There are residences on that side, too.”

Another neighbor, Michael Wingo, said he felt the heat of the explosion from his porch.

“I looked over and saw it. When it exploded, I could feel the heat from here.”

He later admitted the thought that the plane could have hit his home left him deeply shaken.

What might have gone wrong

The cause of the crash remains unknown.

But aviation expert Greg Feith, a former senior NTSB investigator, told NBC that early flight data suggests engine trouble. He explained that although pilots can manage with a single engine, a major malfunction can cause total loss of control.

“In the flight path, it looks like they’re trying to fly a normalized pattern to get back to the runway that they took off on rather than taking a 200-degree turn and land opposite direction,” Feith said.

“Land slightly downwind if you need to, but get the airplane on the ground under control and that’s the key.”

As investigators works to determine what went wrong, grief spread throughout the racing community and beyond. Tributes for Greg Biffle and his family came from colleagues and friends alike.

Garrett Mitchell, a close friend of the Biffles, shared on Facebook that the family had been on their way to visit him when the crash occurred. He called the loss “devastating.”

Over X, North Carolina Congressman Tim Moore honored Biffle not only for his talent on the track but also for his community efforts, highlighting his support for local recovery after Hurricane Helene.

On the same platform, fellow NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer remembered Biffle as “a skilled racer, a generous individual, and a devoted family man.”

May Gregg and his family and all on that plane rest in peace. We’re sending prayers fo their family’s and loved ones.