Overview
- Authorities confirmed seven fatalities, identifying Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, his children Emma, 14, and Ryder, 5, and passengers Craig Wadsworth, Dennis Dutton and Jack Dutton.
- The Cessna 550 Citation II, tail number N257BW, departed Statesville around 10:15–10:20 a.m. local time, attempted an immediate return and crashed near the runway.
- FAA records list the 1981 aircraft as registered to GB Aviation Leasing LLC, an entity linked to Biffle.
- The FAA and NTSB are conducting an active investigation, processing the wreckage and flight data with no cause released and airport operations restricted during the work.
- Security footage showed the impact and ensuing fire, and family members said Cristina Grossu sent a final text reading “We’re in trouble” shortly before the crash.