NASCAR legend Greg Biffle was among 7 people killed in a crash in Statesville. A licensed pilot details some of the challenges the plane may have faced.
STATESVILLE, N.C. β When pilots experience trouble in the air, their first priority is simple but critical: fly the airplane.
That’s according to Chris Dunn, chief meteorologist at Phoenix’s 12News and a licensed pilot, who explained emergency aviation procedures following a deadly crash near Statesville Regional Airport on Thursday. Seven people, including former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and members of his family were killed. The crash involved a Cessna Citation 550 owned by Biffle.
Federal investigators from the FAA and NTSB have not yet determined the cause of the crash. Β Federal recordsΒ show at least two certified pilots were on board at the time: Β the NASCAR legend himself and an airline pilot.
Dunn’s comments focused on general pilot training and procedures, not the specific circumstances of Thursday’s crash.
“The first rule of any emergency in aviation is fly the airplane,” Dunn said.Β
According to Dunn, pilots facing engine failure must first secure the failed engine and maintain control of the aircraft before attempting to land as quickly as possible.Β
“You deal with the emergency, and all pilots, no matter the skill level or the certification level, you’re taught to deal with an engine out,” Dunn said.
The Citation 550, a twin-engine jet, can operate on a single engine, but doing so presents significant challenges.
“The biggest challenge is something called asymmetrical thrust,” Dunn said. “If you think about it, you have two engines and if you you lose one, the other one is going to cause it to yaw or shift over to one side. So you have to account for that.”
Multi-engine pilot training places heavy emphasis on single-engine operations, including how to shut down an inoperative engine and control the aircraft during an emergency approach, Dunn explained.
In this case, the aircraft made an immediate left turn back toward Statesville Regional Airport shortly after departure. Dunn said that maneuver suggests the flight crew prioritized getting back on the ground immediately.
“Their mindset was, ‘We got to get this on the ground right now,” he said. “We just left an airport behind us. Let’s turn back around and get back down on the ground.”
Statesville Regional is a non-towered airport commonly used by private jets supporting NASCAR teams in the area, according to WCNC Charlotte Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich. While pilots could have declared a Mayday and diverted to a larger facility with more emergency response capabilities, the immediate return suggests urgency, Dunn said.
Weather conditions may have complicated the emergency. Dunn noted the aircraft could have been in or near clouds at the time, adding another layer of difficulty for pilots already managing a malfunctioning aircraft.
The families of the victims issued a joint statement, stating that Greg and his wife, Cristina, along with their son Ryder and Greg’s daughter Emma, were among the victims. Dennis Dutton, Jack Dutton, and Craig Wadsworth were also killed.Β
“We are devastated by the loss of our loved ones. This tragedy has left all of our families heartbroken beyond words,” the statement said, in part. “We ask for privacy, compassion, and understanding as we grieve and begin to process this unimaginable loss. We are grateful for the kindness and support that has been extended to our families during this incredibly difficult time.”
FAA records show Biffle had just received certification to fly a multi-engine plane in March 2025. Officials have not said whether he was flying the plane at the time of the crash, but a former National Transportation Safety Board senior air safety investigator said Biffle’s private pilot’s license would not have allowed him to be the sole pilot on that flight. FAA records show Dennis Dutton is an airline transport pilot and is rated to fly the specific kind of aircraft, but was required to have a second in command on board
The investigation into the crash remained in its early stages late Thursday afternoon.