Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and family killed in private plane crash

Former NASCAR Cup Series driver Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, and their two children were killed in a private plane crash in North Carolina. The Cessna Citation II jet, owned by Biffle's aviation company, crashed on the runway shortly after takeoff, engulfing the aircraft in flames. Six people were believed to be on board.

Why it matters:

The tragic loss of a prominent NASCAR figure and his immediate family sends shockwaves through the motorsports community. Biffle was a respected veteran with a long and successful career, and the sudden nature of the accident underscores the inherent risks of private aviation, even for experienced operators.

The details:

• The flight departed from Statesville, North Carolina, bound for Sarasota, Florida, at approximately 10:00 a.m. local time.
• Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft turned back toward the airport before crashing on the runway.
• Social media footage showed the wreckage, registered as N257BW, burning intensely.
• The aircraft was owned by Biffle's GB Aviation Leasing LLC.
• YouTuber and friend Garrett Mitchell (Cleetus McFarland) confirmed the identities of the victims, stating the family was en route to spend time with him.
• The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have opened an investigation, which is standard procedure.

By the numbers:

• 515 Cup Series starts over 16 seasons (2002-2022).
• 19 career Cup Series race wins.
• 2005 NASCAR Cup Series championship runner-up to Tony Stewart.
• 2002 NASCAR Nationwide (now Xfinity) Series champion.

What's next:

The NTSB investigation will seek to determine the cause of the crash, a process that typically takes months. The motorsports world mourns the loss of a competitor whose career spanned two decades and included success at NASCAR's highest levels.