NASCAR legend Greg Biffle was thrilled to be back in the sky just months before his airplane crashed and killed himself, his wife and two kids.
“Excited to get back flying again,” Biffle, 55, shared via Instagram in September.
Biffle showed off a picture from inside his Cessna 550 Citation II, the same plane that crashed at Statesville Regional Airport on Thursday, December 18.
The crash killed Biffle, his wife, Cristina, his 14-year-old daughter, Emma, and his 5-year-old son, Ryder. Four other individuals were also killed in the crash.
It is not known if Greg was piloting the plane at the time of the crash.
Biffle family friend Garrett Mitchell — also known by his social media personality, Cleetus McFarland — was first to break the news that the entire Biffle family was on board the plane.
“Unfortunately, I can confirm Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma and son Ryder were on that plane…because they were on their way to spend the afternoon with us,” Mitchell wrote via Facebook on Thursday. “We are devastated. I’m so sorry to share this.”
Shortly after 10 a.m., the aircraft turned around after takeoff and attempted to land back at Statesville Regional Airport, per tracking data posted by FlightAware.com.
The plane had planned to fly later from Sarasota, Florida, to Treasure Cay International Airport in the Bahamas before returning to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and then back to Statesville by Thursday evening, according to the data.
AccuWeather issued a press release on Thursday after the crash, indicating that conditions were “adverse” right before the incident.
During a brief press conference on Thursday, airport officials said the airport is closed and it will take a while to remove the plane’s debris from the runway.
Greg and Cristina got married in January 2023 and the couple routinely posted about their lives on social media.
The entire family gathered together when Greg was inducted into the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame in September.
“Thank you to the NC Auto Racing Hall of Fame for this honor tonight,” Greg shared via Instagram alongside a photo of himself, his wife and two kids. “Honored to be inducted with Ryan tonight more pics to come of my plaque concreted in downtown Mooresville!”
Greg earned 19 wins during his NASCAR career, including finishing in the top 10 in the standings six times, including a runner-up finish in 2005.
In 2023, Biffle was recognized by NASCAR as one of the 75 greatest drivers of all time.
The Biffle family was also remembered by North Carolina congressman Richard Hudson on Thursday.
“I am devastated by the loss of Greg, Cristina, and their children, and my heart is with all who loved them,” Hudson, 54, wrote via X on Thursday. “They were friends who lived their lives focused on helping others. Greg was a great NASCAR champion who thrilled millions of fans. But he was an extraordinary person as well, and will be remembered for his service to others as much as for his fearlessness on the track.”
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