Plane Crash in Statesville Kills Greg Biffle, Wife, and Children
STATESVILLE, N.C., Dec. 18, 2025 — NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, 55, his wife Cristina Grossu Biffle, and their two children died in a plane crash near Statesville Regional Airport Thursday morning. The crash also killed three others: Dennis Dutton and his son Jack, and Craig Wadsworth.
The family was on a birthday trip to Florida. Cristina Biffle texted her mother moments before the crash, saying, “We’re in trouble,” Cathy Grossu told PEOPLE. The plane, a Cessna C550, departed Statesville around 10:06 a.m. and crashed near the runway shortly after 10:15 a.m.
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Federal records indicate that at least two certified pilots were on board, including Biffle and an airline pilot. State highway patrol said it was initially difficult to identify all occupants due to fire from the crash. Officials will release a full list of victims once confirmed by the medical examiner’s office.
Biffle competed in 842 races across NASCAR’s top three series from 1998 to 2022, including 515 Cup Series events. He won 19 races and earned 175 top 10 finishes. Biffle was best known for driving the No. 16 Ford for Roush-Fenway Racing. Beyond racing, he helped deliver recovery supplies to storm-affected areas in Western North Carolina in 2024. He survived a previous plane crash in Kentucky in 2011.
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Family and friends remembered Biffle and his wife as devoted parents and community-minded individuals. Rep. Richard Hudson confirmed the deaths on X, highlighting Biffle’s contributions both on the track and off. Erica Zangwill, a family friend, said Cristina Biffle had “the biggest heart” and often helped others before herself.
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board have taken over the investigation. Officials will examine the pilots’ actions, the aircraft’s maintenance history, and whether the pilots lost control. A preliminary report is expected soon, while the final report could take up to two years.
