Federal investigators have released new details surrounding the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, and their two children, Emma and Ryder, along with three other individuals. The Cessna Citation 550 aircraft crashed on December 18, 2025, at approximately 10:15 a.m. while attempting to land at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina. Seven people were on board, and tragically, there were no survivors.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has confirmed that a passenger on the plane sent a text message stating “emergency landing” to a family member shortly before the crash. While investigators have not publicly identified the sender, reports suggest it may have been Biffle’s wife, Cristina. The cockpit voice recorder has been recovered from the wreckage and is currently being analyzed by the NTSB in Washington, D.C. This device is crucial for understanding the final moments of the flight.
Investigators are still working to determine who was piloting the aircraft at the time of the crash, as three individuals on board, including Greg Biffle, possessed pilot’s licenses. The NTSB has recovered numerous pieces of wreckage, including both engines and elements of the flight control system, which are undergoing examination. Maintenance records for the plane have also been obtained as part of the comprehensive investigation.
While visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, with drizzle and broken ceilings, the NTSB is meticulously examining all potential contributing factors, including weather. Witnesses reported that the plane appeared stable and configured for landing with its lights on, but was flying unusually low, striking a runway lighting stanchion approximately 1,800 feet short of the runway. The debris field indicates the aircraft impacted the ground before reaching the runway.
The NTSB anticipates releasing a preliminary report on the crash within 30 days, which will contain factual information gathered during the initial phase of the investigation. However, the full and final report, which will include the probable cause and any contributing factors, is expected to take between 12 to 18 months to complete. The investigation remains ongoing, with technical advisers from Pratt & Whitney, the engine manufacturer, assisting the NTSB.
