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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has commenced its comprehensive investigation into the tragic aviation incident that claimed the lives of former NASCAR Cup Series star Greg Biffle, his family, and three other individuals on Thursday morning at Statesville Regional Airport. The agency has indicated that while a preliminary report is expected within 30 days, the complete investigation, including the analysis of all collected evidence and the development of a final report, is anticipated to span 12 to 18 months.
During a press conference held on Friday afternoon, NTSB Member Michael Graham, accompanied by Investigator-In-Charge Dan Baker, provided an overview of the meticulous and multi-phased process that will unfold over the coming year. The initial stages of the investigation are focused on the crucial tasks of conducting thorough witness interviews and systematically gathering all pertinent multimedia evidence related to the crash.
The aircraft involved, a Cessna 550, owned by the accomplished former NASCAR driver, crashed at approximately 10:15 a.m. on Thursday. Tragically, the incident occurred just 10 minutes after takeoff, during the approach to Runway 28. The devastating accident resulted in the loss of Greg Biffle; his wife, Cristina Grossu Biffle; their daughter Emma, from his first marriage to Nicole Lunders; and their son, Ryder. Also on board were long-time NASCAR associate Craig Wadsworth, who had a significant working relationship with Biffle, and Dennis and Jack Dutton.
The crash site was characterized by an extensive debris field, measuring approximately 1800 feet. The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) has been transported to Washington, D.C., for detailed analysis. "It’s fairly long so it’s scattered wide and out, so it’s going to take some time to document all that," NTSB Member Graham stated, emphasizing the scale of the recovery and documentation efforts. He further explained the challenges posed by prevailing weather conditions, noting, "We were unable to get our drone launched today with the high winds but we want to get that digitally documented with the drone tomorrow so hopefully we can get a better idea of how wide and how much debris is out there."
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A critical aspect of the ongoing investigation is the identification of the pilot at the controls during the ill-fated flight. NTSB officials have stated they are currently unable to confirm who was piloting the aircraft. "Three of the occupants did possess pilots’ licenses but we have been unable to verify (who was piloting) as of this time. That is one of the things we are working on," Graham elaborated. He also noted that the Cessna 550 can be operated by a single pilot or by two individuals, and that many pilots are certified to fly the aircraft solo. The NTSB is working to ascertain the specific operational configuration during this flight.
Information gathered from initial observations and witness accounts suggests that the aircraft made initial contact with the ground before reaching the runway. "Yes, it did hit the ground before getting to the runway," Graham confirmed in response to a direct question. When pressed about the proximity to a fence, he added, "Right in that vicinity is where the witness marks are. We’re still evaluating that."
In an effort to accelerate the collection of vital information, the NTSB has issued a public appeal for any individuals who may have captured videos or photographs of the incident, or who witnessed the event, to come forward. Interested parties are encouraged to contact the NTSB witness email account at [email protected].
Graham indicated that there is an indication the plane may have been reapproaching the runway at a low altitude, but stressed that this is preliminary and requires further corroboration through additional interviews and the review of photographic and video evidence. "At this point, we are doing some interviews on site. We’re looking for additional witnesses and that’s why I put that out in the briefing. But we don’t have anything to share. It’s much too early for that. That would go into our analysis section," he stated, underscoring the nascent stage of the investigation.
Currently, the NTSB has not received any reports or indications of mechanical failures experienced by the aircraft shortly after departure. Similarly, officials are refraining from speculating on the potential role of weather conditions in the crash. Graham acknowledged the atmospheric conditions at the time, stating, "The weather was visual flight rules but there were low ceilings out there and there was heavy drizzle at the time. So, that is one of the three things we mainly look at — the people operating the aircraft, we look at the aircraft itself and we look at the environment and the weather is one of the things we do and will look at." The NTSB’s comprehensive approach systematically examines these three fundamental elements in all aviation accident investigations.
Greg Biffle, a prominent figure in NASCAR, enjoyed a distinguished career, amassing 19 Cup Series victories during his tenure in the sport. He is particularly remembered for his 2000 Xfinity Series championship and his 2002 Truck Series championship, showcasing his versatility and success across different NASCAR national series. His career spanned from the early 2000s through the late 2010s, establishing him as a respected and competitive driver within the sport. The circumstances surrounding his untimely death have sent shockwaves through the racing community and beyond.
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