According to local news station WBTV, the plane — a Cessna C550 — exploded in a massive fireball after crashing at Statesville Regional Airport, about 50 miles north of Charlotte.
The FAA confirmed the plane went down while attempting to land at approximately 10:20 AM ET.
Business records indicate the jet was owned by a company affiliated with retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, WBTV reports. Local news outlets are reporting Biffle and his wife died in the crash, citing social media posts from a colleague and from one of his brands … TMZ is working to confirm.
Breaking: Multiple deaths after a plane crash at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina. WSOC, a local news channel, reports that NASCAR driver Greg Biffle owns the plane, although it is unclear if he was on board. pic.twitter.com/nzZMhSg1Tm
— PM Breaking News (@PMBreakingNews) December 18, 2025
Six people were on the plane, according to the FAA … local law enforcement confirmed to WBTV that more than one person was killed.
FlightAware reports the plane was in the air for 26 minutes … the plane never climbed above 2,000 feet, reaching a top speed of 262 mph.
According to the city of Statesville’s website, the airport provides aviation facilities to several NASCAR teams.
The FAA and the NTSB are investigating the crash.