Former NASCAR Driver Greg Biffle & Family Killed In Airplane Crash
On December 18, a Cessna C550 business jet crashed at Statesville Regional Airport, north of Charlotte, North Carolina, according to local officials. The aircraft, identified by tail number N257BW, went down at the end of a runway.
FlightAware data shows the jet had taken off but soon turned back toward the airport and was attempting to land when the crash occurred.
The aircraft was operated by GB Aviation Leasing LLC, a company owned by former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle. Initial reports indicated six people were on board at the time of the crash; authorities later confirmed that seven individuals were aboard.
The FAA and the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office reported “multiple fatalities” as a result of the crash.
Among those individuals were later identified as Greg, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, and son Ryder.
Joint Statement from the Biffle, Grossu, Dutton & Lunders Families regarding the plane crash today.
— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) December 18, 2025
Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/jm10YNKlVD
RELATED: Remembering Emma Biffle: Memorial Service Planned After Tragic Plane Crash
Remembering The Biffles
Biffle had been married to his wife, Cristina Grossu, since 2023. The couple were described by family and friends as devoted parents and generous philanthropists who spent much of their time helping others. They shared a 5-year-old son, Ryder, who was remembered as an active, curious, and joyful child.
Biffle is also had a 14-year-old daughter, Emma, from his previous marriage to Nicole Lunders. Emma was remembered for her kind nature and was deeply loved by those who knew her.
Cristina & Ryder Honored In Joint Obituary
Cristina and Ryder are being remembered in a beautiful joint obituary.
“Cristina touched the lives of so many people with her profound sense of humor, warmth, creativity, curiosity, drive and gregarious outgoing nature. She was a generous friend and possessed an uncanny ability to connect with just about anyone. She had a way of making people around her feel just as strong and beautiful about themselves as she was herself,” an obituary at Cavin-Cook reads.
Ryder has been described as “a joyful, mischievous 5 year old and loved any and everything with wheels.”
“He loved taking things apart, but hadn’t quite figured out how to put things back together. He started out saying he wanted to be a NASCAR driver, but this Christmas he said he wanted Formula 1 cars. Ouch!,” it reads.