A plane crash at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina is believed to have resulted in seven fatalities. The incident involved a Cessna C550 aircraft, which is associated with a private company linked to former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle.
Incident Details
The small aircraft crashed during its landing sequence at approximately 10:20 local time (15:20 GMT). It had departed around 10:06 local time and was airborne for a brief period before crashing on the east end of the runway.
Statesville Airport director John Ferguson reported that the aircraft was engulfed in flames upon his arrival at the scene. The airport has been closed until further notice as cleanup operations and investigations proceed.
Identification of Occupants
While officials did not provide immediate information regarding the identities or number of people aboard, Congressman Rich Hudson of North Carolina and professional baseball player Mitchell Garret have made public statements.
Congressman Hudson posted on X, expressing devastation over the reported loss of Greg Biffle, his wife Christina, and their children. Mitchell Garret also posted on Facebook, confirming that Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, and son Ryder were on the plane and had been en route to meet him.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation and dispatched a go team to the site, expected to arrive Thursday night.
Statesville Regional Airport (KSVH) is owned by the City of Statesville, located approximately 45 minutes north of Charlotte. It provides aviation facilities used by Fortune 500 companies and several NASCAR racing teams.