NC Cessna crash: Was Greg Biffle-owned plane heading to Cleetus McFarland Christmas Tree Drag Race in Florida?

The Cessna C550 jet, reportedly owned by Greg Biffle, may have been headed to Florida for Cleetus McFarland's Christmas Tree Drag Racing World Championship.

Updated on: Dec 18, 2025, 23:44:15 IST

By Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan

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A plane reportedly owned by retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle crashed while landing at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina on Thursday morning, The Daytona Beach News Journal reported.

Flight-tracking data indicates the plane was en route to Sarasota, Florida. (UnSplash)

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the jet went down at around 10:20 a.m. while attempting to land.

In a statement, Statesville Regional Airport confirmed the incident, saying, "We can confirm there has been an aircraft incident at the Statesville Regional Airport. At approximately 10:15am, an aircraft crashed while landing. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is en route and will investigate the incident. No further details are available at this time. Updates will be provided as information becomes available."

Also Read: Greg Biffle family: Who is wife Cristina Grossu and his children? All on NASCAR driver

Flight en route to Florida?

According to public records obtained by WWAY News, the aircraft, a Cessna C550 business jet, is owned by Greg Biffle. The Racing Experts reported that the aircraft's tail number, N257BW, is registered to GB Aviation Leasing, LLC, which is owned by Biffle.

It remains unclear whether Biffle was aboard the plane at the time of the crash, and officials have not released information about the condition of the passengers on board.

Flight-tracking data indicates the jet was en route to Sarasota, Florida.

Several unconfirmed reports circulating on social media suggest the aircraft may have been headed to Florida for YouTuber Garrett Mitchell AKA Cleetus McFarland’s 6th Annual Christmas Tree Drag Racing World Championship, scheduled for Saturday at Bradenton Motorsports Park. However, these claims have not been confirmed by McFarland or by authorities. HT.com has not independently verified this information.

Also Read: Is Greg Biffle OK? Latest on Statesville Cessna C550 plane crash; prayers for NASCAR star

Statesville is located about 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of Charlotte. Officials have not released information about injuries.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA are investigating the crash.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan
Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan leads the US Desk at Hindustan Times, where she writes, strategises coverage, and ensures quality across all beats. With eight years of experience covering US news for leading publications, she has reported extensively on politics, entertainment, and sports. Vaishnavi holds a graduate degree in English, Journalism, and Psychology, and completed her PG Diploma in Broadcast Journalism from the Manorama School of Communication, where she was awarded the prestigious Mammen Mappillai Award for Best Outgoing Student. She began her career at the International Business Times (US Edition), covering US breaking news, politics, and entertainment. She later joined Opoyi, reporting across all beats, including US sports and trending stories. Prior to Hindustan Times, she served as World Lead at Times Now News, covering comprehensive world news and events. Vaishnavi has expertise in politics, entertainment, and breaking news, and enjoys tackling stories across a wide range of topics. Beyond the newsroom, she is an avid traveller, a foodie who loves exploring new restaurants, and a pop culture enthusiast who enjoys watching latest shows and films. She also enjoys engaging in debates and discussions on Reddit.Read More

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