NTSB releases video of Greg Biffle plane crash aftermath
STATESVILLE, N.C. — The National Transportation Safety Board released video of the aftermath of a plane crash that left Greg Biffle and six other people dead Thursday.
The video shows investigators working at the scene of the crash at the Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina. The NTSB released this video Saturday after giving updates on the crash (Viewer discretion is advised):
The NTSB launched an investigation into the crash after it happened Thursday morning. Video posted to social media showed the plane in a fireball as it crashed at the airport just after taking off. They confirmed reports of a family member receiving a text message from someone onboard about an emergency.
According to the NTSB, the plane lifted off from the airport, took a turn west and then a turn east before trying to land — all about 10 minutes after it took off. Witnesses said the plane came in “very low” before hitting the ground and hitting the runway.
“The aircraft was well below the runway surface when it crashed,” the NTSB stated.
The NTSB came to this conclusion by looking at how the plane also hit multiple trees and the airport perimeter fence, as well as two runway lights.
“It tells you that it was basically level or below the runway level at that point because the runway is up on a hill a little bit,” they stated.
The length of debris field was 1,800 feet away from approach to the end of runway.
NTSB investigators didn’t notice any significant issues were immediately visible with the plane. They also found both engines present with the main wreckage, along with a black box and a cockpit voice recording. They now have the maintenance log in their possession and will investigate it, as well as the engines.
The NTSB sent the voice recording to Washington, D.C., for further analysis. They will issue a preliminary report within 30 days to lay out a clearer timeline. A full investigation and results will take 12-18 months or “as long as necessary.”
Information is subject to change. As of Saturday, they couldn’t verify who was flying the aircraft, if there was a mayday call, if there were issues with the plane before taking off.
According to a report from WCNC, federal records showed at least two certified pilots were on board at the time: Biffle and Dennis Dutton. The NTSB had a “good idea” of who the pilot was onboard but needed to investigate further to determine who was the pilot and where everyone was sitting.
The NTSB was set to begin removing the wreckage Saturday. They will release the scene to local law enforcement in “1-2 days.”
The NTSB has spoken to several witnesses. If you have any documentation of the crash (e.g., photos and/or videos) or were a witness to what happened, the NTSB is asking you to email witness@ntsb.gov.
MORE: Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, family among 7 dead in plane crash
Here are the full NTSB briefings:
Saturday:
Friday:
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Jonathan Fjeld View All
Jonathan Fjeld is the co-owner of the The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2010.
A Twin Valley, MN, native, Fjeld became a motorsports fan at just three years old (first race was the 2002 Pennsylvania 500). He worked as a contributor and writer for TRE from 2010-18. Since then, he has stepped up and covered 24 NASCAR race weekends and taken on a larger role with TRE. He became the co-owner and managing editor in 2023 and has guided the site to massive growth in that time.
Fjeld has covered a wide array of stories and moments over the years, including Kevin Harvick's final Cup Series season, the first NASCAR national series disqualification in over 50 years, Shane van Gisbergen's stunning win in Chicago and the first Cup Series race at Road America in 66 years – as well as up-and-coming drivers' stories and stories from inside the sport, like the tech it takes for Hendrick Motorsports to remain a top-tier team.
Currently, he resides in Albuquerque, N.M., where he works for KOB 4, an NBC station. He works as a digital producer and does on-air reports. He loves spending time with friends and family, playing and listening to music, exploring new places, being outdoors, reading books and writing among other activities. You can email him at fjeldjonathan@gmail.com