A tragic plane crash in Statesville, North Carolina, on December 18, 2025, resulted in the loss of seven lives, including that of NASCAR icon Greg Biffle. According to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the accident was preceded by a failure of multiple cockpit instruments shortly after takeoff.
The Cessna Citation 550 went down approximately 400 feet short of the runway at Statesville Regional Airport at around 10:15 a.m., while attempting a return to the airport. The flight, which was planned to last only about an hour and headed for Florida, faced critical issues almost immediately after departure.
Audio captured from the cockpit voice recorder revealed that the pilot, Dennis Dutton, reported failures in his altitude indicator and other left-side flight instruments just four minutes into the flight. The aircraft’s navigation system subsequently ceased recording essential data such as airspeed and heading. This was accompanied by severe audio degradation on the recorder, lasting over three minutes, which investigators suggest may indicate electrical issues within the aircraft.
During the flight, Dutton transferred control of the plane to his son, Jack Dutton, when they were approximately 4,500 feet in the air. Notably, the right-side instruments remained functional throughout this period. However, as the crew made efforts to navigate back to the airport, Dennis Dutton resumed control. Investigators clarified that Biffle was not actively piloting the aircraft at any point during the flight.
Inclement weather conditions further complicated the situation, as heavy drizzle reduced visibility to five miles and cloud cover descended to 1,200 feet above ground at the time of the crash. The aircraft struck approach lights and trees before finally coming to rest on the runway blast area, where a subsequent fire engulfed much of the fuselage. Despite the chaos, it appeared that both engines were operational at the time of impact, based on the observed damage patterns.
Dennis Dutton was a veteran pilot with an extensive flight log, totaling 17,000 hours, including 400 hours within six months leading up to the incident. Notably, he held a first-class medical certificate with no reported limitations. Nevertheless, he was restricted by regulations requiring a second-in-command for the Cessna Citation 550.
His son, Jack Dutton, possessed only a private pilot certificate with limited experience, having logged 175.3 hours solely in single-engine airplanes. This noncompliance with federal regulations regarding co-pilot qualifications has drawn scrutiny from investigators.
Greg Biffle, seated in the cabin area close to the cockpit, was not at the controls during the flight. Biffle held a private pilot certificate with experience in multi-engine and helicopter flying, accumulating 3,500 flight hours, with some hours logged in the months leading up to the crash.
As investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident, the aviation community is reminded of the critical importance of safety regulations and the necessity for adequate crew qualifications. Such accidents serve as a sobering reminder of the potential risks involved in aviation, underscoring the need for stringent adherence to regulatory standards to ensure the safety of all involved.