CONTENT:
Retired Nascar driver Greg Biffle was not at the controls when his jet crashed last month, killing him and six others, according to a report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The preliminary report, released on January 28, 2026, also found that while an experienced pilot, Dennis Dutton, was at the helm, no one else on board was qualified to serve as the required copilot.
Biffle, a four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, and Dutton, a retired airline pilot, along with Dutton's son Jack, all held valid pilot licenses. However, the NTSB report states that they noticed problems with various gauges malfunctioning on the Cessna C550 before it crashed while attempting to return to Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina.
The jet, which took off from the airport around 12:45 p.m. on December 24, 2025, experienced instrument failures and erratic climb and descent prior to the crash, according to the NTSB report. The plane went down in a wooded area near the airport at approximately 2:10 p.m. that day.
The NTSB is still investigating the cause of the crash, and further details will be released as they become available. The organization's report does not specify who was flying the plane at the time of the crash or if anyone attempted to contact air traffic control before the incident.
Biffle's passing at the age of 51 shocked the NASCAR community and beyond. In a statement to the media, Nascar Chairman and CEO Jim France expressed his condolences to Biffle's family and friends. "Greg was a beloved member of the NASCAR family and will be deeply missed," France said.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of proper training and adherence to aviation regulations. The NTSB's ongoing investigation into the crash will shed more light on the circumstances that led to this unfortunate event.
Sources:
CONTENT:
Retired Nascar driver Greg Biffle was not at the controls when his jet crashed last month, killing him and six others, according to a report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The preliminary report, released on January 28, 2026, also found that while an experienced pilot, Dennis Dutton, was at the helm, no one else on board was qualified to serve as the required copilot.
Biffle, a four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, and Dutton, a retired airline pilot, along with Dutton's son Jack, all held valid pilot licenses. However, the NTSB report states that they noticed problems with various gauges malfunctioning on the Cessna C550 before it crashed while attempting to return to Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina.
The jet, which took off from the airport around 12:45 p.m. on December 24, 2025, experienced instrument failures and erratic climb and descent prior to the crash, according to the NTSB report. The plane went down in a wooded area near the airport at approximately 2:10 p.m. that day.
The NTSB is still investigating the cause of the crash, and further details will be released as they become available. The organization's report does not specify who was flying the plane at the time of the crash or if anyone attempted to contact air traffic control before the incident.
Biffle's passing at the age of 51 shocked the NASCAR community and beyond. In a statement to the media, Nascar Chairman and CEO Jim France expressed his condolences to Biffle's family and friends. "Greg was a beloved member of the NASCAR family and will be deeply missed," France said.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of proper training and adherence to aviation regulations. The NTSB's ongoing investigation into the crash will shed more light on the circumstances that led to this unfortunate event.
Sources:
