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The pilot in the deadly North Carolina plane crash that killed former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his family has not been identified more than 24 hours later, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officials said Friday.
NTSB board member Michael Graham spoke to media about the preliminary findings of his investigation into Thursday’s crash that killed all seven people aboard a flight bound for the Bahamas.
Greg Biffle #69 kisses his daughter with Cristina Grossu looking on before getting into his car during the Camping World Superstar Racing Experience event at Slinger Speedway on July 10, 2021 in Slinger, Wisconsin. (Logan Riely/SRX via Getty Images)
According to Graham, three people aboard the Cessna C550 were licensed pilots, but officials were unable to verify who was piloting the flight until Friday.
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“This is the beginning of a very long process and we will not jump to any conclusions while we are on the scene here in North Carolina nor will we jump to any conclusions,” Graham said of the entire investigation.
The plane was owned by GB Aviation Leasing LLC, according to federal aviation records. The company is owned by Biffle, which was licensed to fly single- and multi-engine helicopters and airplanes.
Biffle, 55, died alongside his wife, Cristina, and children Ryder, 5, and Emma, 14. Three other people who died on board were identified as Dennis Dutton, his son Jack and Craig Wadsworth.
Greg Biffle celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas on October 3, 2010. (Orlin Wagner, File/AP Photo)
RACING WORLD REMEMBERES FORMER NASCAR DRIVER GREG BIFFLE AFTER DEADLY PLANE CRASH
The seven-person flight was headed to the Bahamas via Sarasota, Florida, when it crashed at Statesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles north of Charlotte. NTSB Investigator-in-Charge Dan Baker said the plane took off at approximately 10:05 a.m. ET and began returning to the airport five minutes after takeoff.
The plane crashed about 10 minutes after departure.
Authorities did not provide a cause, noting that weather conditions were relatively calm despite light rain. Graham said a preliminary report would be released in 30 days and a full investigation could take 12 to 18 months before a final report is released.
Greg Biffle is introduced during driver introductions before a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, on July 5, 2015. (Terry Renna, AP file/photo)
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According to officials, the plane’s black box was recovered from the crash site and is en route to Washington, DC, where it will be analyzed.
Greg Biffle, 55, won more than 50 races on all three NASCAR circuits, including 19 at the Cup level. He also won the Trucks Series championship in 2000 and the Xfinity Series title in 2002.
NASCAR called Biffle “a beloved member of the NASCAR community, a fierce competitor and a friend to many.”
