A deadly plane crash claimed the lives of NASCAR champion Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, and five others. A short text message, sent from the aircraft, now stands as the last known communication from inside the plane. It arrived minutes before impact and reached a mother who would soon lose her entire family.
As investigators work to determine what went wrong, loved ones are left grappling with grief that arrived without warning. Reportedly, it was a family birthday trip that ended in devastation.
Cristina Grossu Biffle sent the message to her mother, Cathy Grossu, moments before the crash at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina. The Cessna C550 private jet went down shortly after takeoff, killing all seven people on board. The flight was bound for Florida.
Greg Biffle's plane crash details emerge from the final moments on board
According to Cathy Grossu, the message from her daughter was brief and alarming.
"She texted me from the plane and she said, ‘We’re in trouble.’ And that was it," Grossu told People. "So we’re devastated. We’re brokenhearted."
The crash killed Greg Biffle, 55, Cristina, their son Ryder, 5, and Biffle’s daughter Emma, 14, whom he shared with ex-wife Nicole Lunders. Also killed were pilot Dennis Dutton, his son Jack, and family friend Craig Wadsworth. The plane was registered to a company owned by Biffle and had been in the air for less than half an hour.
The family was traveling for what Grossu described as a birthday trip, meant to celebrate Biffle ahead of his upcoming 56th birthday.
"To think that they would be killed on a birthday trip, that was just such a fun time for the family," she said. "And to see the horrific way that it ended, it is so hard to bear. I cannot believe they’re gone."
Family statements reflect grief after the Greg Biffle tragedy
In the hours following the crash, relatives of the victims released a joint statement expressing shared sorrow.
"We are devastated by the loss of our loved ones. This tragedy has left all of our families heartbroken beyond words."
They remembered Greg and Cristina as devoted parents whose lives centered around their children. Emma was described as “a wonderful human being with a kind soul,” while Ryder was remembered as “an active, curious and infinitely joyful child.” Dennis and Jack Dutton were described as deeply loved, and Craig Wadsworth was remembered as a cherished member of the NASCAR community.
NASCAR also acknowledged the loss, honoring Biffle’s legacy both on and off the track.
“The NASCAR family is devastated at the loss of Greg Biffle, who was one of our 75 greatest drivers and became known for his relentless post-career humanitarian work.”
The Federal Aviation Administration continues to investigate the cause of the crash.
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What happened to Greg Biffle's Cessna 550 shortly after it took off from NC's Statesville airport?Get an chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey hereLachit Roy is a sports writer at The Times of India, where he cov...
Read MoreLachit Roy is a sports writer at The Times of India, where he covers the NBA, WWE, and other major international sporting events. With over five years of experience across different media houses, he has developed expertise in reporting, analysis, and storytelling. His sharp insights are complemented by a clear and engaging writing style. He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Tezpur University. Beyond sports, Lachit is passionate about movies and enjoys gardening in his free time.
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