Greg Biffle plane crash
 

Regrettably former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his family perished yesterday in a plane crash in Statesville, North Carolina. There were also the pilot and two friends of the Biffle family also died in the crash.
Greg was a Craftsman truck and (formerly)Busch series Champion and also won several races driving for Jack Roush.
Greg was one of the first to fly needed supplies to victims of Hurricane Helene in 2024.
He will be greatly missed in racing circles and remembered for his aid to the Hurricane victims.

I saw that today… just horrible. RIP.

Sad,when he was driving we used to talk about boats and fishing,never about racing.Good dude.RIP

Sad news, may he and his family rest in peace.

He was a Vancouver WA resident when he started his racing career, never forgot that and was a good soul who helped many people.
RIP Greg may peace be with his family.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QWQD_U0Xm0
Good lord...

Very sad...RIP.

I've read that many amateur pilot crashes could have been prevented with a proper/thorough pre-flight check.

It has been reported he had a hired pilot, he was co-pilot.

Biffle had professional pilots who flew his Citation II.

I’m a pilot and it’s very unforgiving. You’d better be on you r game very single time your in that airplane.

There were radical climbs and descents in the flight data.

There was a nascar racer that died in the north east a. Few years ago as well Busch series as I recall. Flew out of my airport at the time.

Had a family friend die in a small jet not long ago because of a defect in the way the parking brake worked , known issue w that airplane for years, he’d still have made it if it hadn’t been for a company putting up a new utility pole that was 10 ft taller than the old one at the end of the runway.

There’s so many tragic crashes and quite often you’d be amazed. You just don’t hear about all of them
Just higher profile ones.


Sadly when you’re flying a high dollar aircraft you think your safer the you really are. , the technology in manny cases causes the issues.

May the RIP sad to see anyone go out like this …

Interesting commentary on the crash.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdM1UO9tYvY
at 6:32 min make he mentions the issues these birds had with the front nose luggage compartments latch not locking correctly and has killed engines when luggage goes into the intakes. Among other ones.
https://storage.imgbly.com/imgbly/6zmldliVer.jpg

This guy does a good job watch for the altitude changes.

https://youtu.be/ljQ9nOrUEwo?si=1EnbPTYULZoS_WGU

The NTSB investigation of the crash of a Cessna Citation at the Statesville, NC regional airport.
NTSB video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTmVAqy36d8

So after seeing the above NTSB video nobody noticed the missing starboard front compartment hatch or the engine spinner gone. +
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvIBpi6QyW8

Update
Actual voice transmission before fatal crash.
Probable Cause; Dan Gryder
The Greg Biffle Plane Crash: What Really Happened.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKiPUBFFgQM

I just watched this Dan Gryder video this morning and it looks clear cut.

It is so tragic and unfortunate that this even happened, but as in many cases human error is the cause.

I’m always interested in plane crashes because as a little boy my Father flew a corporate jet for an oil firm out of Springfield, Illinois back in the 60’s - 70’s.
Dad was the chief pilot on a Dassault Falcon 20 for many years, plus he flew a Cessna Citation II several times.

Thank for sharing.

Just fly commercial, way safer

Marginally safer. Airlines CAN defer maintenance; GA aircraft can’t.

I traveled for a living for 30 years. Way safer.

Wow. Crazy sad. So avoidable. As a pilot myself it’s hard to imagine the thought process here. That’s a lot of low altitude maneuvering in an underpowered aircraft with a lot of drag going on.
Even if you’re set on returning to the same airport, get yourself to altitude, clean things up and get set up for a proper approach. But knowing Charlotte was only 32 miles away where you had a towered airport and “help” makes it even more sad.

Greg Biffle Tragedy: I Went to the Crash Site in Statesville, NC — What I Found Was Shocking
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srSOXraHSGs
Probably the best video @ photos of crash sight by amateur I've seen so far.

Only thing that makes any sense to me is flying without a legal second and not wanting to get caught.

Valid point

Maybe I missed it, but has anyone had a discussion on the possibility of an engine failure and how that may have happened on take off.

This seems to be the reason this plane needed to turn back and with 7 people, luggage and full load of fuel the single working engine just wasn’t enough power to deal with situation.

It does sound like it was an engine failure but assuming the remaining engine was performing nominally they could have made it back safely. There could be more to the story and way off base here. But at face value it does look like some poor decisions by the PIC might have led to this unnecessary tragedy.

Yet, you NEVER knew the aircraft you were flying on may have had its last phase inspection deferred due to “financial” concerns.

And I’m still here, screw those tiny planes.

Let’s start a list who died in these small planes.

Here’s a start, 70

https://youtu.be/b4Wl4ci6-aI?si=QB3Wb8og7tBXiRH4

Long rant from pilot about old airline pilots.
Why the pilot didn't mayday.
WOW
Worth your time if you have it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkPUN57uGTw

summary;
1. The pilot in command (PIC) was likely Biffle's regular pilot, Dennis Dutton., and the co-pilot was like the pilot's 20 year old son, Jack.
2. The FAA requires that the Citation 550 have a qualified (on the Citation 550) co-pilot on EVERY flight, unless the PIC has a waiver. As of a few days ago, Dutton's aviation license does not list a waiver to fly the Citation 550 solo.
3. The Citation 550 is very easy to overload... if full fuel, a couple of passengers and normal luggage would put it at its limit. We do not know if this flight.has full fuel. Maybe it had less. 7 passengers plus luggage might have been severely overweight.
*EDIT* Not sure where I read this point #4 but nobody else seems to have read this, so it is probably not correct Most say one engine was out, but nobody seems to know why END OF EDIT **---- 4. Several ground witnesses said they saw something like luggage come out of the plane and hit the right (starboard) engine.
5. Dutton was Biffle's regular pilot. Biffle either did or did not know this was an illegal flight b/c there was no qualified co-pilot. If he did know, then he approved an illegal and dangerous flight. If he did not know the flight was illegal, then pilot Dutton was not only negligent, but dishonest, in not informing Biffle that a co-pilot was required by FAA regulation. My gut tells me Biffle knew, but figured an excellent retired airline pilot would be able to handle any emergency that might arise, and that the FAA regulation did not apply to him.
6. When *edit* (one engine) failed, an emergency arose. Procedures for handling that emergency would be known by both pilot and co-pilot, and together they would calmly establish a plan to get the plane on the ground safely. Because there was no qualified co-pilot, the PIC was overwhelmed with tasks, having not even yet completed his normal checklist for takeoff.
7. The PIC decided to return to this remote airfield. Some speculate that it was b/c he knew he and more importantly his son (who some report wanted to eventually fly for an airline), would permanently lose his license if they were to declare an emergency and had they flown the mere 6 extra miles into the safer airport in Charlotte, where his illegal (both father an son) flight would have been exposed.
8. As experience C550 pilot @fernandorosales2418 writes below, Even if the plane were (somewhat) overweight, with neutral flaps and gear up, it should have been able with one engine to take an extended loopy turn to line up for re-landing at the same airport. But as we heard in the audio, flaps were NOT neutral, and gear was NOT up. This is a fatal mistake, combined with a tight final turn into runway approach. Overweight plus tight turn, plus flaps down ,plus gear down = almost certain crash. If the plane were severely overweight, it is possible that even sound re-landing decisions by the PIC would not have resulted in a safe landing. How much fuel was on board is the missing piece of information.
9. Flight plan is reported to have been Charlotte to Bradenton, which is 619 miles. It is possible that this flight was only fueled to 40-50%, given the 550's range of 1500-2000 miles depending on variant. I read the 550 has a 5,000 lb. fuel capacity. If it were only half full, that frees up 2,500 lbs for extra passengers and luggage. It is certainly possible the flight was NOT overweight.
10. Had there been a qualified co-pilot, rather and a 20 year old kid who was probably licensed for a single engine prop plane, in right seat, that co-pilot would have advised the PIC that it was way to early to have flaps and gear down, and that the approach turn needed to be wide. The PIC missed this. It was a mistake. A qualified C550 co-pilot almost surely would have calmed the PIC, taken some of the load, and helped the PIC to land this plane safely. That is why the FAA requires a qualified co-pilot on the Citation 550.

....
 

summary;
1. The pilot in command (PIC) was likely Biffle's regular pilot, Dennis Dutton., and the co-pilot was like the pilot's 20 year old son, Jack.
2. The FAA requires that the Citation 550 have a qualified (on the Citation 550) co-pilot on EVERY flight, unless the PIC has a waiver. As of a few days ago, Dutton's aviation license does not list a waiver to fly the Citation 550 solo.
3. The Citation 550 is very easy to overload... if full fuel, a couple of passengers and normal luggage would put it at its limit. We do not know if this flight.has full fuel. Maybe it had less. 7 passengers plus luggage might have been severely overweight.
*EDIT* Not sure where I read this point #4 but nobody else seems to have read this, so it is probably not correct Most say one engine was out, but nobody seems to know why END OF EDIT **---- 4. Several ground witnesses said they saw something like luggage come out of the plane and hit the right (starboard) engine.
5. Dutton was Biffle's regular pilot. Biffle either did or did not know this was an illegal flight b/c there was no qualified co-pilot. If he did know, then he approved an illegal and dangerous flight. If he did not know the flight was illegal, then pilot Dutton was not only negligent, but dishonest, in not informing Biffle that a co-pilot was required by FAA regulation. My gut tells me Biffle knew, but figured an excellent retired airline pilot would be able to handle any emergency that might arise, and that the FAA regulation did not apply to him.
6. When *edit* (one engine) failed, an emergency arose. Procedures for handling that emergency would be known by both pilot and co-pilot, and together they would calmly establish a plan to get the plane on the ground safely. Because there was no qualified co-pilot, the PIC was overwhelmed with tasks, having not even yet completed his normal checklist for takeoff.
7. The PIC decided to return to this remote airfield. Some speculate that it was b/c he knew he and more importantly his son (who some report wanted to eventually fly for an airline), would permanently lose his license if they were to declare an emergency and had they flown the mere 6 extra miles into the safer airport in Charlotte, where his illegal (both father an son) flight would have been exposed.
8. As experience C550 pilot @fernandorosales2418 writes below, Even if the plane were (somewhat) overweight, with neutral flaps and gear up, it should have been able with one engine to take an extended loopy turn to line up for re-landing at the same airport. But as we heard in the audio, flaps were NOT neutral, and gear was NOT up. This is a fatal mistake, combined with a tight final turn into runway approach. Overweight plus tight turn, plus flaps down ,plus gear down = almost certain crash. If the plane were severely overweight, it is possible that even sound re-landing decisions by the PIC would not have resulted in a safe landing. How much fuel was on board is the missing piece of information.
9. Flight plan is reported to have been Charlotte to Bradenton, which is 619 miles. It is possible that this flight was only fueled to 40-50%, given the 550's range of 1500-2000 miles depending on variant. I read the 550 has a 5,000 lb. fuel capacity. If it were only half full, that frees up 2,500 lbs for extra passengers and luggage. It is certainly possible the flight was NOT overweight.
10. Had there been a qualified co-pilot, rather and a 20 year old kid who was probably licensed for a single engine prop plane, in right seat, that co-pilot would have advised the PIC that it was way to early to have flaps and gear down, and that the approach turn needed to be wide. The PIC missed this. It was a mistake. A qualified C550 co-pilot almost surely would have calmed the PIC, taken some of the load, and helped the PIC to land this plane safely. That is why the FAA requires a qualified co-pilot on the Citation 550.

I have flown hundreds of hours in corporate aircraft, as a passenger and as a post maintenance observer; NEVER had a problem. Shall we start listing all the airline crashes that were due to deferred or improper maintenance?

Dam shame./
Greg Biffle Plane Crash: NTSB's Shocking Update!
NASCAR Legend Greg Biffle and 6 others, including his wife and two children, died in a plane crash and the NTSB just released their preliminary report with shocking details that most people did not expect!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibYHHw1iIhs

550s CAN be flown WITHOUT a co-pilot. Ever heard of Cessna Citation 551, better known as the Citation II SP( Single Pilot)?

Haven’t seen the NTSB preliminary report, but I will read it once it is released.

The whole point of the above video link was he reads the preliminary report along with flight path data.

heres a link to report;
NTSB Report date was 12-18-2025 in Statesville, North Carolina - Cessna Citation II (C550)
scroll down the page to date 12/18/2025
https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-pub...h=12&year=2025

What does that have to do with this 550 and this pilot?

The pilot that was flying the plane had a restriction on his license or whatever you call it that stated that he needed a co-pilot for the plane he was flying.

The 551 IS the same aircraft as 550; same systems…zero difference except for being limited to flying under 30,000 feet and the PIC having to stay on O2 the entire flight above 12,000 ft AGL. Citation IIs CAN be flown in a single pilot operation.

Unless the aircraft is a 501SP or a 551SP s co-pilot is required to fly any 500-550 series Cessna Citation.

Just finished reading the preliminary report. IMO as a retired maintainer, sounds like a GCU failure. GCU failure would restrict the amount of power available on the avionics buss to the point of the flight director failing. Coupled with a distracted pilot you have the makings for a disaster.

Well of course someone CAN, just not legally in a 550. Which is one reason why someone might choose an uncontrolled airport rather than one with full services.

LEGALLY. You just have to stay below 30, 000 ft, wear oxygen 100% of the time you are above 12,000ft and can’t operate on Part 135. Not familiar with the FARs? 551s ARE 550s. They are certified for single pilot operations. Any other questions? I take it you have a LIMITED background in general aviation?

I believe the Biffel plane was being operated without a legal second which was required.

But whatever you want to believe is fine with me. Maybe you should read the NTSB preliminary report.

Exactly correct Sir.
No, Greg Biffle's jet was not approved to operate with just one pilot. The pilot, Dennis Dutton, was required to have a qualified co-pilot, which Biffle and the other passenger did not meet the necessary qualifications to fulfill. Yahoo thesunchronicle.com
Pilot Requirements for Greg Biffle's Jet
Aircraft Specifications
Model: Cessna Citation 550
Pilot Certification: Required two trained pilots for operation
Pilot Qualifications
Primary Pilot: Dennis Dutton, an experienced pilot
Co-Pilot: Jack Dutton, not qualified to serve as co-pilot for this aircraft
Greg Biffle: Also not qualified to act as a co-pilot
Conclusion
The Cessna Citation 550 required two qualified pilots to operate safely. Neither Jack Dutton nor Greg Biffle had the necessary endorsements to serve as co-pilot, which contributed to the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Already have. Have you read the FARs on WHO can be a co-pilot? Once again, it seems you have extremely limited to NO EXPERIENCE in general aviation.

Yahoo is your “slam dunk” source? LOL…When I worked for HCA, we routinely flew our Citation Vs and Citation V Ultras in single pilot operation to ferry the aircraft to a maintenance base in Orlando. According to YOUR source this was illegal; according to the FARs it was perfectly LEGAL. Find a copy of the FAR/AIM ( Federal Aviation Regulations/ Airman’s Information Manual). Read 14CFR 91.5, 14 CFR 61.57 and 14CFR 61.58. To operate a multi engined aircraft certified for multiple crew members in single pilot operation the PIC ( Pilot In Command) has 1,500 TT, specialized training in said aircraft in the last eighteen months, and 15 hours in type in the last 90 days. IF this was a Part 135 flight, it would have been illegal. If it were a Part 91, but not under part K, it would have been LEGAL. I spent nearly thirty years in this industry.

The FARs are on my side. You MIGHT want to read them.

You should call the NTSB and educate them. This is from their preliminary report.

HUGE difference between having a type certificate rating in a CE 500 and a CE 550…you DO know the difference in the aircraft, yes? Since WHEN does the NTSB enforce FAA regulations. Here’s a hint: research the subject matter BEFORE opining ignorantly. You have ZERO knowledge of the FAA, the NTSB, and general aviation. I have an extensive background in working with the FAA, the NTSB and spent nearly thirty YEARS of daily work experience in general aviation( primarily maintaining Part 91 and Part 135 aircraft)