A tragic plane crash in North Carolina claimed the lives of retired NASCAR champion Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina Grossu Biffle, their 5-year-old son Ryder, Biffle’s 14-year-old daughter Emma, and three family friends on Dec. 18, 2025.
According to reports, moments before the crash, Cristina Biffle sent a chilling text to her mother, Cathy Grossu, stating: “We’re in trouble.” That message, sent at approximately 10:20 a.m., marked the last communication from the family, Grossu told People magazine.
The group was traveling on a Cessna Citation C550 jet, tail number N257BW, owned by Biffle’s GB Aviation Leasing LLC, en route to Florida for a birthday trip in honor of Biffle, who was turning 56 the following week. Witnesses reported the plane flying unusually low before it struck the east end of Statesville Regional Airport runway, erupting in a massive fireball. Weather conditions included low clouds and light rain, reducing visibility to under three miles.
The victims included:
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Greg Biffle, 55, retired NASCAR champion
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Cristina Grossu Biffle, 35
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Ryder Biffle, 5
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Emma Biffle, 14, Greg’s daughter from a previous marriage
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Craig Wadsworth, family friend
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Dennis Dutton and Jack Dutton, father-son duo
Grossu expressed heartbreak, recalling seeing her daughter and grandson at her home the night before the crash. “I know we hugged, but I don’t remember those last words, and that’s going to haunt me,” she said.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, reviewing flight paths, pilot actions, weather conditions, maintenance records, and wreckage. Preliminary reports suggest the plane may have been attempting to return to the airport due to potential mechanical issues, though no official cause has been determined. The airport temporarily closed due to debris following the crash.
Families of the victims have issued a joint statement mourning the devastating loss and asking for privacy as they grieve. The crash has shocked fans, the NASCAR community, and the nation, leaving an indelible mark on everyone who knew the family.
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