Tragedy at Iredell County Airport: Multiple Dead After Plane Crash – What We Know About the Incident and the Greg Biffle Connection

A devastating plane crash at Statesville Regional Airport in Iredell County, North Carolina shook the community on Thursday morning, December 18, when a private business jet plunged to the ground in flames, resulting in multiple deaths, authorities confirmed. The accident has sparked intense public interest — especially because the aircraft is affiliated with retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle — and investigators are now working to piece together what happened.

What Happened?

According to local officials and aviation records, the aircraft involved was a Cessna C550 business jet, which crashed at approximately 10:15 a.m. while attempting to land at Statesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles north of Charlotte.

Images and eyewitness accounts from the scene show the jet engulfed in a massive ball of fire after it hit the ground, prompting a rapid response from emergency crews. Flames and debris were scattered near the end of the runway, and smoke billowed across the tarmac as firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze.

At this time, authorities have confirmed multiple fatalities, but the exact number of people on board and their identities remain unknown. Law enforcement and medical examiners are still working to identify victims.

Greg Biffle Connection

Public aviation records indicate that the private jet is registered to GB Aviation Leasing, a company linked to Greg Biffle, the former NASCAR star well-known in the racing world.

This has led to widespread speculation across social media and news sites about whether Biffle or other high-profile individuals were on board, though no official confirmation yet exists regarding who was in the aircraft at the time of the crash.

Biffle — once a celebrated figure on the NASCAR circuit and a champion in both the Truck and Xfinity Series — has also been recognized for his humanitarian efforts outside the sport, including helicopter missions during disaster relief efforts. However, officials have remained tight-lipped about his involvement or condition in this tragedy.

Airport & Community Impact

Following the crash, Statesville Regional Airport was closed “until further notice”, according to local airport officials, as crews clear debris and investigators begin their work.

The airport serves as a hub for corporate flights, including those for Fortune 500 companies and several NASCAR teams, making this incident especially jarring for the motorsports community.

Roads in the vicinity were briefly affected as emergency responders and law enforcement secured the area and managed traffic, ensuring public safety during rescue and recovery operations.

Ongoing Investigation

Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations into the cause of the crash. Early reports suggest that weather conditions were mixed — with cloudy skies in the region — though it is unclear if weather played a direct role in the accident.

The FAA’s priority is to determine the sequence of events that led to the jet’s descent and fiery impact, including whether technical issues or pilot decisions contributed to the tragedy. It could take weeks or months before a preliminary investigative report is released.

Public Response & Next Steps

News of the crash has drawn condolences and concern from fans, locals, and the NASCAR community alike. If the jet was indeed connected to Biffle or carried individuals associated with the racing world, the impact will likely resonate even more broadly.

Officials urge the public to avoid speculation and allow investigators to do their work. Anyone with information or footage related to the crash has been encouraged to share it with law enforcement to aid in the ongoing investigation.

As this remains a developing story, updates are expected in the coming days as more details emerge about the victims, the cause of the crash, and the circumstance surrounding Greg Biffle’s connection to the ill-fated flight.