When a Cessna Citation jet tried to land at Statesville Regional Airport on December 18, 2025, it never made it down cleanly — and seven people, including NASCAR veteran Greg Biffle and his family, lost their lives. The crash turned a routine approach into an aviation tragedy that’s now tangled in wrongful-death lawsuits and an ongoing NTSB investigation.
Date of crash: December 18, 2025 ·
Total fatalities: 7 (including Biffle, his wife Cristina, two children, and three others) ·
Survivors: None ·
NASCAR career wins: 19 Cup Series wins
Quick snapshot
- Greg Biffle (NASCAR driver), Cristina Biffle (wife), Emma Biffle (daughter), Ryder Biffle (son), Craig Wadsworth, pilot Dennis Dutton, and Jack Dutton (ABC News)
- NTSB investigating; preliminary report not yet released (Yahoo Sports)
- Aircraft identified as Cessna C550 Citation II (ABC News)
- 19 Cup Series wins, estimated net worth $20M
- Born December 23, 1969; survived by two children from previous marriage
The seven fatalities — a racing champion, his wife, two kids, and three others — set off legal machinery that has already produced multiple lawsuits and a bitter crossfire between grieving families.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Gregory Jack Biffle |
| Born | December 23, 1969 |
| Died | December 18, 2025 (plane crash) |
| Spouse (at time of death) | Cristina Biffle (died with him) |
| Ex-wife | Nicole Biffle (WSOC TV) |
| Children | Emma and Ryder (died in crash); two surviving children from previous marriage |
| Net Worth (est.) | $20 million |
| NASCAR Cup Wins | 19 |
| Aircraft | Cessna C550 Citation II (ABC News) |
| Crash Site | Statesville Regional Airport, North Carolina (ABC News) |
How many people died in the Greg Biffle plane crash?
All seven people on board the Cessna C550 Citation II died when the jet crashed while attempting to land at Statesville Regional Airport on December 18, 2025, according to ABC News.
Identifying the victims
- Greg Biffle — former NASCAR driver, 19 Cup Series wins
- Cristina Biffle — his wife
- Emma Biffle — his daughter
- Ryder Biffle — his son
- Craig Wadsworth — passenger
- Dennis Dutton — pilot
- Jack Dutton — passenger
The names were confirmed by family statements and reporting from ABC News, which cited official sources. No survivors were found at the scene.
Confirmation from official sources
Local authorities and the National Transportation Safety Board confirmed the death toll within hours. The aircraft came to rest on the runway after crossing a road and the airport perimeter fence, followed by a post-crash fire, according to preliminary reports (YouTube).
Seven lives lost in seconds — a NASCAR champion, his wife and two kids, plus three others on board. The crash didn’t just end a career; it erased a family unit whole.
The implication: the scale of loss — four members of one family among seven total — means the legal and emotional fallout will be compounded for every survivor left behind.
What was the cause of the Greg Biffle crash?
Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the crash. The NTSB has opened an investigation, and a preliminary report is expected within 30 days of the accident, according to Yahoo Sports.
Preliminary investigation findings
- The jet crashed during landing at Statesville Regional Airport
- It crossed a road and the airport perimeter fence before coming to rest on the runway
- A post-crash fire consumed much of the wreckage
Officials said the cause was not known immediately after the accident (ABC News). The NTSB investigation will examine weather conditions, mechanical records, pilot history, and the aircraft’s maintenance logs.
Pilot and flight history
The pilot, Dennis Dutton, was identified by family and media reports. His background and flight experience are part of the ongoing investigation. No prior issues with the aircraft had been reported publicly.
Was Greg Biffle flying the plane?
No. Greg Biffle was a passenger. The aircraft was piloted by Dennis Dutton, according to reporting from ABC News.
The NTSB’s preliminary report, due in the weeks ahead, will reveal whether mechanical failure, pilot error, or weather played a role — and that finding will shape every lawsuit that follows.
The pattern: when a crash has no survivors and the wreckage is badly burned, investigators rely on cockpit voice recorders, radar data, and maintenance records — all of which take time to analyze.
What lawsuits were filed after the crash?
The crash has spawned multiple wrongful-death lawsuits. Two were filed in April 2026 by the estates of the Duttons, and a third was filed in May 2026 by Greg Biffle’s ex-wife, Nicole Biffle.
Dutton estate lawsuits
- Filed in April 2026 against Greg Biffle’s estate
- Each lawsuit seeks $15 million in damages (ESPN)
- The Dutton estates alleged inadequate maintenance and upkeep contributed to the crash
- The family alleged Biffle, as aircraft owner, was responsible for ensuring the plane was properly maintained
Lawsuit by Nicole Biffle
- Filed May 13, 2026
- Named as defendants: Greg Biffle’s estate, the pilot’s estate, and GB Aviation Leasing LLC (WSOC TV)
- A February 2026 claim had already been filed against Dennis Dutton’s estate on behalf of Emma Biffle’s estate, seeking more than $10 million
The estates of Dennis Dutton and Jack Dutton have filed two wrongful-death lawsuits against the estate of former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, each seeking $15 million in damages.
— ESPN, quoting legal filings (ESPN)
The trade-off: the Dutton families are pointing at Biffle’s estate for alleged maintenance failures, while Nicole Biffle is targeting both Biffle’s estate and the pilot’s estate — creating a legal crossfire where multiple parties are both plaintiffs and defendants in overlapping cases.
What was Greg Biffle’s net worth and career?
Greg Biffle’s estimated net worth at the time of his death was approximately $20 million, accumulated through NASCAR salary, race winnings, and sponsorship deals over a career that spanned more than two decades.
Sources of wealth
- $20 million estimated net worth
- 19 Cup Series wins
- Income from NASCAR salary, winnings, and sponsorships
Biffle drove for Roush Fenway Racing for most of his Cup career, earning a reputation as a consistent contender. He also won the Craftsman Truck Series championship in 2000 and the Xfinity Series championship in 2002. His 19 Cup Series wins place him among the top 50 winners in NASCAR’s modern era.
NASCAR earnings and endorsements
Biffle’s primary sponsors included 3M, Scotch-Brite, and other major brands. His career earnings from race winnings alone exceeded $60 million before taxes, according to NASCAR official records.
The upshot: a $20 million estate is now the target of lawsuits seeking $15 million per claim, plus additional demands from Nicole Biffle’s filing — meaning the net worth figure is less a biography detail and more a legal target.
Who was Greg Biffle?
Gregory Jack Biffle was born December 23, 1969, in Vancouver, Washington. He rose through the ranks of NASCAR’s lower series before making his Cup debut in 2002.
Greg Biffle’s marital history
- First marriage: Nicole Biffle (divorced before his marriage to Cristina)
- Second marriage: Cristina Biffle (died with him in the crash)
- Children from first marriage: two surviving children
- Children with Cristina: Emma and Ryder (died in the crash)
Nicole Biffle, Greg’s ex-wife, filed the May 2026 wrongful-death lawsuit on behalf of herself and the estate of Emma Biffle. The relationship between Greg and Nicole had been acrimonious prior to the crash, according to court records cited by WSOC TV.
Greg Biffle’s ex-wife is now suing his estate for the death of their daughter Emma — a tragedy that pits a deceased father’s estate against the mother who survived him, both sides grieving the same child.
The pattern: high net-worth individuals in aviation accidents often face estate litigation from multiple directions — and when family members are on both sides of the lawsuit, the legal process becomes as painful as the loss itself.
Timeline of the Greg Biffle crash and aftermath
- December 18, 2025 — Cessna C550 Citation II crashes at Statesville Regional Airport. Seven people die, including Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, their children Emma and Ryder, Craig Wadsworth, pilot Dennis Dutton, and Jack Dutton.
- December 18, 2025 — NTSB opens investigation; preliminary report expected within 30 days. (Yahoo Sports)
- February 2026 — Claim filed against Dennis Dutton’s estate on behalf of Emma Biffle’s estate, seeking more than $10 million. (WSOC TV)
- April 2026 — Estates of Dennis Dutton and Jack Dutton file two wrongful-death lawsuits against Greg Biffle’s estate, each seeking $15 million. (ESPN)
- May 13, 2026 — Nicole Biffle files wrongful-death lawsuit against Greg Biffle’s estate, the pilot’s estate, and GB Aviation Leasing LLC. (WSOC TV)
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Seven people died on December 18, 2025 (ABC News)
- Greg Biffle, Cristina Biffle, Emma Biffle, Ryder Biffle, Craig Wadsworth, Dennis Dutton, and Jack Dutton were the victims (ABC News)
- The aircraft was a Cessna C550 Citation II (ABC News)
- Greg Biffle was not flying the plane (ABC News)
- Two $15M lawsuits filed by Dutton estates (ESPN)
- Nicole Biffle filed suit in May 2026 (WSOC TV)
What’s unclear
- Exact cause of crash (under investigation by NTSB)
- NTSB preliminary report findings (not yet released)
- Total compensation claimed across all lawsuits
- Whether mechanical failure, pilot error, or weather was the primary factor
Quotes from the crash aftermath
We’re in trouble.
— Text message attributed to Cristina Biffle, sent to her mother moments before the crash, as reported in family statements
Two wrongful-death lawsuits have been filed against the estate of former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle by the families of the pilot and another passenger who died in the December plane crash.
— ESPN, summarizing the Dutton family legal action (ESPN)
Greg Biffle’s ex-wife has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the estates of the former NASCAR driver and the pilot of the plane that crashed in December, killing all seven people on board.
— WSOC TV, reporting on Nicole Biffle’s May 2026 filing (WSOC TV)
Summary
Seven people died when Greg Biffle’s Cessna Citation crashed at Statesville — a racing champion, his wife, two kids, and three others. In the months since, the legal machinery has churned: the Dutton families want $30 million combined, and Biffle’s ex-wife has filed her own claim. The NTSB report will eventually assign a cause, but the civil cases are already drawing battle lines. For the families involved, the choice is grim: settle and move on, or litigate and relive the crash in depositions and evidence hearings for years.
charlotteobserver.com, youtube.com, en.wikipedia.org, abc11.com, reddit.com, reddit.com, instagram.com
The legal aftermath of the crash has drawn significant attention, with Greg Biffle plane crash lawsuits detailing the lawsuits and the mysterious Seat 11A.
Frequently asked questions
How many people died in the Greg Biffle plane crash?
Seven people died: Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, their children Emma and Ryder, Craig Wadsworth, pilot Dennis Dutton, and Jack Dutton. (ABC News)
What caused the Greg Biffle plane crash?
The cause is under investigation by the NTSB. No official determination has been released. Possible factors include mechanical failure, pilot error, or weather conditions. (Yahoo Sports)
Was Greg Biffle flying the plane?
No. Greg Biffle was a passenger. The pilot was Dennis Dutton. (ABC News)
Who died in the Greg Biffle plane crash?
The seven victims were Greg Biffle, Cristina Biffle (wife), Emma Biffle (daughter), Ryder Biffle (son), Craig Wadsworth, Dennis Dutton (pilot), and Jack Dutton. (ABC News)
Are there any survivors from the crash?
No. All seven people on board died in the crash. (ABC News)
What lawsuits have been filed after the crash?
Three lawsuits have been filed: two by the estates of Dennis Dutton and Jack Dutton seeking $15 million each, and one by Nicole Biffle (Greg’s ex-wife) against Greg’s estate, the pilot’s estate, and GB Aviation Leasing LLC. (ESPN, WSOC TV)
What was Greg Biffle’s net worth?
Greg Biffle’s estimated net worth was approximately $20 million, amassed through NASCAR salary, race winnings, and sponsorships over a career with 19 Cup Series wins.
Victoria Hayes is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.