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The pilot of the fatal plane crash in North Carolina that killed former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his family has not been identified more than 24 hours later, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officials said Friday.
NTSB board member Michael Graham spoke to the media about the preliminary findings of their investigation into Thursday’s crash that killed all seven people aboard a plane bound for the Bahamas.
Greg Biffle #69 kisses his daughter with Cristina Grossu and looks on before getting into his car during the Camping World Superstar Racing Experience event at Slinger Speedway on July 10, 2021 in Slinger, Wisconsin. (Logan Riely/SRX via Getty Images)
According to Graham, three people aboard the Cessna C550 were licensed pilots, but officials were unable to verify who was piloting the flight Friday.
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“This is the beginning of a very long process, and we’re not going to jump to any conclusions while we’re on the scene here in North Carolina, nor are we going to jump to any conclusions,” Graham said of the entire investigation.
The plane was owned by GB Aviation Leasing LLC, according to federal aviation records. The company is owned by Biffle, who was rated to fly helicopters and single and multi-engine aircraft.
Biffle, 55, was killed along with his wife, Cristina, and children Ryder, 5, and Emma, 14. Three others killed on board were identified as Dennis Dutton, his son Jack and Craig Wadsworth.
Greg Biffle celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas on October 3, 2010. (Orlin Wagner, File/AP Photo)
RACING WORLD LIMBING FORMER NASCAR DRIVER GREG BIFFLE AFTER DEADLY PLANE CRASH
The seven-person flight was en route to the Bahamas via Sarasota, Florida, when it crashed at Statesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles north of Charlotte. The NTSB investigator in charge, Dan Baker, said the plane took off around 6 p.m. 10:05 a.m. ET and began returning to the airport five minutes after take off.
The plane crashed approximately 10 minutes after takeoff.
Officials did not give a reason, noting that weather conditions were relatively calm despite light rain. Graham said a preliminary report would be released in 30 days and that a full investigation could take anywhere between 12-18 months before a final report is released.
Greg Biffle is introduced during driver introductions before a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida on July 5, 2015. (Terry Renna, File/AP Photo)
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According to officials, the plane’s black box was recovered from the crash site and is on its way to Washington, DC, where it will be analyzed.
Greg Biffle, 55, won more than 50 races across NASCAR’s three circuits, including 19 at the Cup Series level. He also won the Trucks Series championship in 2000 and the Xfinity Series title in 2002.
NASCAR called Biffle “a beloved member of the NASCAR community, a fierce competitor and a friend to so many.”
