STATESVILLE, N.C. (WBTV/Gray News) - Officials say former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his family were among the seven killed in a fiery plane crash in North Carolina on Thursday.

“The NASCAR family is devastated at the loss of Greg Biffle, who was one of our 75 greatest drivers and became known for his relentless post-career humanitarian work. We extend our deepest condolences,” NASCAR shared in a Facebook post.

Loved ones shared that Biffle’s immediate family included his wife and two children, who were on board the plane that went down shortly after taking off from Statesville Regional Airport.

According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the Cessna C550 erupted into a large fire when it hit the ground.

The plane had departed Statesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles north of Charlotte, but soon crashed while trying to return and land, North Carolina authorities said.

Flight tracking records showed the Cessna 550 took off at 10:06 a.m. before crashing at about 10:15 a.m., according to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.

EN ESPAÑOL | Reportan varios muertos en accidente aéreo en Carolina del Norte

Biffle was on the plane with his wife, Cristina, and children Ryder, 5, and Emma, 14, according to the highway patrol and a family statement, as reported by The Associated Press.

Others on the plane were identified as Dennis Dutton, his son Jack, and Craig Wadsworth.

Garrett Mitchell, a friend and colleague of Biffle, called what happened devastating in a Facebook post from Thursday afternoon.

“Unfortunately, I can confirm Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, and son Ryder were on that plane... because they were on the way to spend their afternoon with us. We are devastated. I am so sorry to share this,” he said.

North Carolina Rep. Addison McDowell shared his condolences on X, as well as North Carolina U.S. Congressman Richard Hudson and the NC Auto Racing Hall of Fame.

“Please join Rachel and me in praying for the family, friends, and all those grieving the loss of Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, and their children,” McDowell said. “Greg was known not only for his success on the track but for the generosity and impact he and his family had in their community.”

Biffle won 54 races across NASCAR’s three circuits during his career, including 19 in the Cup Series. He also won the Trucks Series championship in 2000 and the Xfinity Series title in 2002.

Biffle was awarded the National Motorsports Press Association’s Myers Brothers Award in 2024 for his humanitarian efforts in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

Biffle used his private helicopter to deliver aid to the flooded areas in Western North Carolina and East Tennessee as part of Operation Helidrop. His efforts spearheaded NASCAR’s own response in providing aid to those impacted by Hurricane Helene.

It was Biffle’s first time winning the award, which has been presented each year since 1958 in honor of former NASCAR competitors Billy and Bobby Myers. The award recognizes people or groups who have provided outstanding contributions to the sport.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.

The airport is not far from the interchange of Interstates 77 and 40 and is about 10 minutes from downtown Statesville.

Officials said the airport was closed until further notice because of debris caused by the crash.

Copyright 2025 WBTV via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.