NTSB report details fatal Greg Biffle crash | Sports News

The National Transportation Safety Board has launched a preliminary report into the airplane crash at Statesville Regional Airport on Dec. 18, 2025, that claimed the life of NASCAR legend Greg Biffle and his household. According to the findings, Biffle did not fly the jet because the tragic accident occurred.

The report reveals that points started to come up whereas nonetheless on the ground previous to takeoff, with Dennis Dutton, the first pilot, and his son Jack, “who held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land and an instrument rating,” flying Greg’s Cessna 550 Citation II on the day.

Also on board with Greg was his spouse, Cristina, his kids Emma and Ryder, and Craig Wadsworth, all of whom died within the incident.

The report, which incorporates in depth element from the Cockpit Voice Recorder, details how, at first, the left engine failed to begin, earlier than each sprang into life at round 9:53 am.

While taxiing to the runway, Dennis, Jack, and Greg famous how “a thrust reverser indicator light(s) for an unspecified engine was inoperative, but that the thrust reverser for the affected engine was working properly.”

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The airplane took off at about 10:06 for Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport in Florida, with Greg noting how “the left engine was producing more power than the right and indicated there may have been a faulty gauge.”

Once the airplane turned left and reached 2,200 ft, Jack “attempted to contact ZTL ATC and activate the flight’s IFR flight plan three times between 1008 and 1010 but was unsuccessful due to the controller’s workload and associated radio communications.”

The airplane subsequently started to descend, after which Dennis and Greg mentioned climbing as soon as more, which they opted to comply with by on. The report then states that, “The pilot initiated a climb, and shortly after, the rear passenger noted a difference between the left and right engine interstage turbine temperature (ITT) indications.”

Just after 10:10, Dennis was heard saying that his altitude indicator was malfunctioning, believing that different flight devices on the left-hand aspect had been additionally problematic. Shortly afterward, Jack took over control because the airplane executed a U-turn, starting its return to Statesville. 

At round 10:13, Dennis, Jack, and Greg all mentioned they had been capable of see the ground. While not confirmed on the recording, “subsequent communication between the pilot and right seat passenger was consistent with the pilot having resumed control of the airplane at that time.”

As the flight continued, Dennis known as for the touchdown gear to be deployed, and communications recorded counsel this was finished, though “the gear indicator lights were not illuminated.”

A little bit previous 10:13, Jack Dutton informed Statesville’s common site visitors advisory frequency, “…we’re having some issues here,” not long earlier than he was heard asking Dennis about “alternator” energy – one thing that specific plane didn’t possess.

Mere seconds later, Dennis mentioned that they had been coping with an unspecified “problem.” The relaxation of the CVR recording didn’t comprise any additional info relating to details of any points or how they had been being managed. 

Dennis then turned left towards the Statesville runway, with Jack and Dennis later confirming that they might see the vacation spot. 

Spotted flying low because it approached Statesville, the airplane collided with the “easternmost” 29 ft tall runway mild stanchion round “1,380 ft from the runway threshold,” clipping two of its lightbulbs. The plane did considerably more harm to the subsequent mild round 180 ft additional on, leaving simply 15 ft of the sunshine in place.

A tree line 55 ft additional on was then hit by the airplane “about 12 ft above ground level” with “blackened branches and grass near the west side of the trees” the primary indicators of what turned out to be a harrowing fire.

The Cessna finally hit the ground 350 ft from the initial mild stanchion, crashing by the airport fence with the wreckage coming “to rest on the runway blast area about 400 ft short of the runway 28 threshold, oriented on an easterly heading. 

“Heavy charring of the ground began near the decision light station and continued along the remaining length of the debris field to the wreckage.

“A post impact fire consumed a majority of the fuselage and heat damaged both wings, empennage, and both engines. All flight control surfaces were identified in the debris path and main wreckage. No evidence of pre-impact separation of any airplane component or structure was observed.”

The exact trigger of the incident was not recognized additional within the report.