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Statesville, NC – The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is actively working to definitively confirm the identity of the pilot in command during the tragic aircraft incident that claimed the lives of NASCAR personality Greg Biffle and five other individuals on Thursday morning. A press conference held on Saturday provided a limited update as investigators delve into the complex details surrounding the crash at Statesville Regional Airport.
By Friday, the NTSB had formally commenced its comprehensive investigation. However, initial findings remain scarce as preliminary interviews and data acquisition are in their nascent stages. The focus of the investigation, as stated by NTSB Board Member Michael Graham, is to understand the sequence of events that led to the aircraft attempting to return to the airport following its departure.
"We still do not know the circumstances which led the aircraft… to attempt to return to the airport," Graham stated during Saturday’s briefing. "But that is the focus of our investigation."
A significant development confirmed by Graham on Saturday involved a text message exchange between Cristina Grossu Biffle, wife of the former NASCAR driver, and her mother. This communication, previously reported on Thursday, offered a chilling glimpse into the unfolding crisis. Cathy Grossu recounted to CBS on Friday that she had been exchanging messages with her daughter that morning.
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"Then she said something like ‘We’re in trouble, emergency landing.’ And I texted back, ‘What’s wrong with the plane?’" Grossu told the network. "Then the next thing was (the SOS alert) that you get from your automatic Apple phones when you have an accident or something. And so I knew that something was wrong."
Graham acknowledged that he was not aware of this specific text message during Friday’s briefing and subsequently sought additional details from individuals with firsthand knowledge. "This morning, I can confirm that the NTSB is aware of one brief text message from a passenger aboard the aircraft to a family member that read ‘emergency landing’ (but) we are not aware of any other communications from passengers on board the aircraft to those on the ground," Graham reported.
A critical element under scrutiny by the NTSB is the identity of the pilot during the ten minutes of flight between takeoff and the unsuccessful emergency return to the airport. Greg Biffle himself was a licensed pilot. Additionally, Dennis and Jack Dutton were also identified as having pilot certifications.
"I do not have any additional information about who was in the left seat at the time," Graham stated. "We do anticipate that all the information about all the pilot rated occupants will be included in our preliminary report."
The NTSB anticipates releasing its preliminary report within 30 days, with a comprehensive final analysis expected to take between 12 to 18 months. Graham expressed a degree of confidence regarding the identity of the pilot but emphasized the necessity of thorough verification before public disclosure.
"At this point, we have a lot of really good information," Graham commented. "We’re fairly confident with the left seat occupant but we need to verify that. We need to be accurate in what we do. And from a survival standpoint, which is part of what we investigate, we want to know where everyone was sitting and that is a little more difficult in a crash like this."
In the intervening 12 hours between Saturday’s two press conferences, the NTSB reported conducting numerous witness interviews and validating procured evidence. Early indications from multiple sources suggest the aircraft was stable on approach and configured for landing, with its landing lights illuminated. However, video evidence indicates the aircraft was flying at a dangerously low altitude.
"Early indication from multiple sources indicate that the plane was stable on approach, configured for landing with the landing lights on," Graham stated. "But the aircraft was coming in low."
This observation is consistent with the extensive debris field that the investigation team is currently surveying. The debris field is also consistent with the initial points of impact identified on an airport runway light stanchion, located approximately 1800 feet from the runway threshold. Despite these visual and circumstantial clues, Graham noted that further technical evidence is required to ascertain the precise reasons for the aircraft’s low approach.
"It did look like the aircraft was configured properly for landing but it was low in the videos," Graham elaborated. "But we have no other indication over what went wrong at this time."
Since Friday morning’s update, NTSB investigators have meticulously documented the debris field, assessed the condition of the aircraft wreckage, cataloged component locations, and examined the flight controls. The flight voice recorder has been transported to NTSB headquarters in Washington, D.C., where specialists are attempting to recover its data.
Among the crucial items collected from the debris for detailed analysis are the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder. "All of these are being sent to NTSB recorders labs in Washington, D.C.," Graham confirmed. "We will determine whether data and relevant information can be recovered from these units." These recorders are expected to provide invaluable insights into the probable cause of the accident.
The NTSB has also obtained the aircraft’s maintenance logs. This comprehensive collection of data, including the recorders’ information, will be utilized to determine the aircraft’s weight and balance, as well as the impact load.
Both engines of the aircraft have undergone initial analysis. A drone was successfully deployed on Friday to aid in the aerial survey of the crash site, despite challenging windy conditions. The drone operation was completed on Saturday morning once atmospheric conditions stabilized, allowing for a more thorough assessment of the terrain and debris distribution.
The investigation continues to be a meticulous process, piecing together every available piece of evidence to reconstruct the events of that tragic morning. The NTSB’s commitment to accuracy and thoroughness underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for a definitive understanding of how this devastating accident occurred. The aviation community and fans of Greg Biffle await further updates with bated breath as the investigation unfolds.
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