Witnesses Describe the Moment Greg Biffle's Plane Crashed

"I was standing right here with my dog. I looked over and saw it," a witness said, describing the moments before and after the former NASCAR star's plane went down near Statesville Regional Airport.

What nearby residents initially took for routine engine noise from the business jet carrying Greg Biffle and six others on December 18, 2025, soon drew attention to a sudden disturbance beyond the runway.

Within minutes, emergency sirens pierced the air, and residents accustomed to constant aircraft traffic began to realize that what they had just heard and seen was not routine and could not be undone.

What Investigators Say Happened

As the shock rippled through the neighborhoods surrounding the airport, attention quickly shifted from the sound of impact to what might have brought the plane down.

Federal investigators began examining the wreckage on Friday, December 19, 2025, according to Fox Sports. The Cessna C550, a popular mid-sized business jet built in 1981, erupted into flames upon impact with the ground.

The aircraft had departed Statesville Regional Airport shortly after 10 a.m. and was bound for Florida when it attempted to return to land amid drizzle and cloudy conditions.

Federal Aviation Administration records show Biffle was certified to fly helicopters and both single- and multi-engine planes, but it remains unclear if he was piloting the aircraft at the time of the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration is also investigating.

Who Was on the Plane

As investigators worked to piece together the aircraft’s final moments, a joint statement confirmed the identities of those who did not survive.

The joint statement from the families of the victims confirmed that all seven people aboard were killed when the Cessna crashed shortly after taking off from Statesville Regional Airport.

The victims were retired NASCAR star Greg Biffle, his wife, Cristina Biffle, their 5-year-old son, Ryder Biffle, and Biffle's teenage daughter, Emma Biffle, along with Dennis Dutton, his son Jack Dutton, and Craig Wadsworth, according to a joint statement from the families.

"Each of them meant everything to us, and their absence leaves an immeasurable void in our lives," the joint family statement said.

Biffle, 55, won more than 50 races across NASCAR's three national series, including 19 Cup Series victories. NASCAR called him "a beloved member of the NASCAR community, a fierce competitor, and a friend to so many," praising his passion, integrity, and dedication to fans.

What Neighbors Saw in the First Moments After the Crash

While officials identified the victims, those who witnessed the crash firsthand continued to replay what they saw in the moments before and after impact.

A witness, Michael Wingo, was standing on the front porch of his home near Old Airport Road, letting his dog, Taz, outside, when he looked up and saw the aircraft descend.

"When it exploded, I could feel the heat from here," Wingo said. He immediately called 911. His house sits next to a field across from the airport, placing him dangerously close to the impact site.

As the shock settled in, another realization followed: just how narrowly disaster had missed his home. "Knowing if that plane had been angled in any different direction, it could have landed right here. That scares me a lot," he said.

Other neighbors described a similarly disorienting scene. James Jones, who lives on Airport Road, was inside his home when he heard sirens and stepped outside. "At first it was just a flame, then black smoke," Jones recalled. "I thought it was a house because there are residences on that side, too."

Alex Etman, who lives directly across from the airport, said the proximity was unsettling. "We are pretty close," Etman said. "It's definitely spooky to be this near to something like that. We obviously get a lot of plane traffic after the NASCAR races when the teams are coming home. Everything always felt normal."

The Tragedy Becomes Personal

Meanwhile, the horror of witnessing the crash soon gave way to a far more personal loss for Wingo. About 30 minutes after seeing the crash, Wingo learned that one of the seven people on board was his close friend, Wadsworth.

"It hasn't really hit me yet,” he said. "I watched it happen, and I didn't know who was on it until later. In my mind, I'm thinking, 'I watched my friend die.'"

Wadworth, who worked closely within the NASCAR world, had driven the motor coach of NASCAR reporter and former driver Kenny Wallace. In an 11-minute social media tribute, Wallace described Wadsworth as family.

Wingo echoed that sentiment, "He'd give you the shirt off his back. Great person. Craig was one of the best."

Wadsworth's roommate, Benito Howell, added that Wadsworth, "didn't know how to say no. He loved everybody. He always tried to help everybody." Elsewhere around the airport, the crash unfolded in full view of people who had no time to react.

Where Others Watched It Unfold

Golfers at Lakewood Golf Club, which sits next to the airport, were stunned as the plane passed overhead at a dangerously low altitude. Some dropped to the ground as debris scattered across the ninth hole.

"We were like, 'Oh my gosh! That's way too low.' It was scary," said Joshua Green of Mooresville.

Additional eyewitness accounts surfaced during a CBS News segment. A witness whose home surveillance camera captured the crash described seeing a red glare through a window, followed by what sounded like a large explosion.

"Well, um, through my window, I just seen [sic] like a red glare and then a few moments after that, I heard a big combust-like sound," the witness said.

He added that he and his father decided to go check it out, "So, we decided to check our blink camera, and once we reviewed it, we were able to actually see the trail of smoke and the plane landing in fire [sic]."

Living near the airport had made loud noises feel routine, the witness said — until instinct suggested otherwise. "It was [a] very heart-wrenching moment and just kind of in disbelief that that was actually what happened outside," the witness continued.

Why the Loss Is Resonating Beyond the Community

As details of the crash spread, the loss resonated far beyond the neighborhoods surrounding the airport.

Biffle was widely known not only for racing but for humanitarian work. In 2024, he was honored for using his personal helicopter to deliver aid after Hurricane Helene devastated parts of the U.S.

"The last time I spoke with Cristina, just a couple of weeks ago, she reached out to ask how she could help with relief efforts in Jamaica. That's who the Biffles were," U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson reportedly said.

A Community Left Looking Up at the Sky

As investigators work to determine what went wrong, those who live near the airport are left replaying the moment the sky lit up and the quiet that followed.

For many, the crash has permanently altered what once felt ordinary. "Just don’t take anything for granted," the CBS News witness said. "Any day could be your day. Just, you know, appreciate life, man."

Near the runway where planes still come and go, the memory of that morning now lingers, not as background noise, but as a reminder of how quickly everything can change.

While witnesses described the chaos on the ground, we previously reported that investigators and aviation experts focused on the aircraft’s flight path, looking for clues that might explain why the jet attempted to return to the airport moments after takeoff.

Aviation Expert Suggests Engine Trouble Could Be a Factor

Aviation expert Greg Feith, a former senior air safety investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), told NBC that early flight data points to engine trouble. He explained that while pilots can land with one engine, a severe failure may lead to total loss of control.

"In the flight path, it looks like they're trying to fly a normalized pattern to get back to the runway that they took off on rather than taking a 200-degree turn and land opposite direction," Feith said. "Land slightly downwind if you need to, but get the airplane on the ground under control and that's the key."

Feith added that investigators will examine the flight's timeline, crew response, and the aircraft’s maintenance history to determine what went wrong.

Tributes From the Racing World and Beyond Remember Greg Biffle and Family

As investigators searched for answers, heartbreak rippled across the racing community and beyond. Tributes poured in for Greg's family from those who knew the family both professionally and personally.

Garrett Mitchell, a close friend of the Biffles, revealed on Facebook that the family had been on their way to visit him when the tragedy occurred. He called the loss devastating.

Over X, North Carolina Congressman Tim Moore praised Biffle not only for his prowess on the track but for his efforts off it, highlighting his support for local recovery after Hurricane Helene.

On the same platform, fellow NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer described Biffle as a skilled racer, a generous individual, and a devoted family man.

In an official statement, NASCAR honored Biffle as a champion across multiple racing series, a respected figure in the sport, and a man who had given back through service and disaster relief. The organization extended its condolences to all families affected.

As federal investigators work to reconstruct the jet's final moments, officials have not said when preliminary findings will be released, leaving residents who witnessed the crash and a racing community mourning one of its most recognizable figures waiting for answers about what went wrong at the runway where the plane attempted to return.