Multiple cockpit instruments malfunctioned shortly after takeoff, investigators say. The plane crashed while attempting to return to the airport.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. β A cascade of cockpit instrument failures preceded a December plane crash in Statesville, North Carolina, that killed seven people, including NASCAR legend Greg Biffle, according to a preliminary report released by NTSB investigators.
The Cessna Citation 550 crashed approximately 400 feet short of the runway at Statesville Regional Airport on Dec. 18, 2025, around 10:15 a.m. The flight was only supposed to last about an hour, from Statesville to Florida; however, things went wrong almost immediately after takeoff.Β
Cockpit voice recorder audio captured the pilot, Dennis Dutton, reporting that his altitude indicator and other left-side flight instruments were not working properly about four minutes into the flight. The aircraft’s Garmin navigation system stopped recording airspeed and heading data shortly after these malfunctions began, the report states.Β
Severe audio degradation on the voice recorder lasted more than three minutes, beginning around the same time as the instrument failures. Investigators say this is an indication of possible electrical problems. After audio quality returned, the pilot indicated there had been a “problem” but did not specify what it was or what corrective actions were taken.
RELATED: At least two pilots were on Greg Biffle’s plane that crashed in Statesville, records show
At some point, Dutton transferred control to his son, Jack Dutton, in the right seat when the aircraft was at about 4,500 feet. No malfunctions were recorded with the right-side instruments. Dennis Dutton later resumed control as the crew attempted to return to the airport. Biffle was not at the controls during the flight, investigators say.Β
Weather conditions deteriorated during the flight, with heavy drizzle reducing visibility to 5 miles and lowering the ceiling to 1,200 feet above ground at the time of impact.
The aircraft struck approach lights and trees before coming to rest on the runway blast area. A post-impact fire consumed most of the fuselage. Investigators believe both engines appeared to be producing power at impact, based on damage patterns.Β
Pilot experience
Dennis Dutton was a highly experienced aviator with 17,000 total flight hours and had logged 400 hours in the six months prior to the crash. He held an airline transport pilot certificate, the highest level of pilot certification, and was type-rated to fly multiple commercial aircraft including the Airbus A-320, A-330 and A-350, as well as the Boeing 737, 757 and 767. He also held type ratings for the Cessna CE-500 and the McDonnell Douglas DC-10.
However, the pilot’s CE-500 type rating came with a critical limitation requiring a second-in-command to be present during flight. Federal regulations prohibited him from operating the Cessna Citation 550 without a qualified co-pilot. He held a current first-class medical certificate issued on April 29, 2025, with no reported limitations.
Jack Dutton, seated in the right seat, held only a private pilot certificate with ratings for single-engine land aircraft and instrument flying. According to his logbook, he had accumulated 175.3 total flight hours as of November 29, 2025, all in single-engine airplanes. He held a first-class medical certificate issued on August 12, 2024.
Federal investigators determined the right-seat passenger did not meet the qualifications required to serve as second-in-command under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 61.55. Despite performing co-pilot duties during the flight, including handling checklists and radio communications, his limited experience and lack of proper ratings meant the flight violated the pilot’s operating restrictions.
Biffle was seated near the cockpit in the cabin area during the flight, NTSB investigators determined. He held a private pilot certificate with ratings for multi-engine land, instrument airplane and rotorcraft-helicopter. According to his most recent medical application dated February 21, 2025, he reported 3,500 total flight hours with 65 hours logged in the previous six months.
Biffle participated in cockpit discussions during the flight, including observations about engine instrument readings and questions about electrical systems. He held a current second-class medical certificate issued without limitations. The cockpit voice recorder captured conversations between all three pilot-rated individuals as they dealt with the escalating equipment malfunctions.
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