Plane registered to retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle crashes in North Carolina
UPDATE, 5:30p
-At a press conference at Statesville Regional Airport, a spokesperson with the North Carolina Highway Patrol said two-time NASCAR champion Greg Biffle, his wife and two children were among the passengers killed when his Cessna business jet crashed while returning to the airstrip. The NTSB will take over the investigation.
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UPDATE, 1:45p
– Internet personality Cleetus McFarland, real name Garrett Mitchell, confirmed on social media that former NASCAR Cup Series driver Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina and their son Ryder were aboard the Cessna business jet that crashed after turning around and trying to land at Statesville NC Regional Airport.
Mitchell noted that Biffle and his family were en route to his compound in Florida to spend the day there.
Published reports said six people were aboard the aircraft when it crashed just after 10 am Thursday morning and the plane was registered to a business co-owned by Biffle.
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UPDATE, 12:45p
– A news conference concluded at noon with general information about the corporate jet crash just before 10:30 am Thursday morning. FAA officials arrived on the scene just after 12 noon. The airport is closed until further notice so that the runway can be cleared of debris and examined for safety. There was no information disclosed about who was onboard or who was the owner of the jet.
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Emergency teams responded to a plane crash at the Statesville, North Carolina Regional Airport just before 10:30 am Thursday and the preliminary information says the aircraft was registered to retired NASCAR Cup Series driver Greg Biffle.
FAA officials have said multiple casualties have been suffered in the crash but an exact number of souls on board and their identities have not been announced.
Eyewitnesses at a nearby golf course in Statesville told local media outlets that the plane was flying extremely too low prior to impact. Initial reports said the Cessna C550 took off at 10:15 am and records show the plane was owned by a private North Carolina business that includes Biffle as a partner.
That airstrip is frequently used by several NASCAR teams and drivers for travel to races and personal appearances as well as Fortune 500 companies based in the Charlotte area.
This is a developing stories. More details to follow…
(IMAGE: Property of Statesville Regional Airport / Official Facebook)
