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The moment of the plane crash that killed NASCAR legend Greg Biffle and his family was caught on camera Thursday.
Doorbell footage showed the burning plane crashing and hurtling onto the runway at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina, leaving a massive fire in its wake.
The plane was registered to GB Aviation LLC, a company owned by Biffle.
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NASCAR driver Greg Biffle holds his daughter Emma Elizabeth during driver introductions for the NASCAR Talladega auto race at Talladega Superspeedway, Sunday, May 1, 2016, in Talladega, Alabama. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, file)
The plane took off from the regional airport Thursday morning but was diverted to Statesville and crashed during an attempted landing, authorities confirmed.
Biffle and his wife Cristina shared a daughter, Emma, 14, and a 5-year-old son, Ryder – who were all on board with Dennis, Jack Dutton and Craig Wadsworth during the fatal crash, a statement from the victims’ families confirmed.
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 around 10:05 a.m. ET and began turning back toward the airport five minutes after takeoff.
The plane crashed approximately 10 minutes after takeoff.
Authorities did not provide a cause and noted that weather conditions were relatively calm despite light rain.
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A private jet belonging to driver Greg Biffle takes off from Daytona Beach Airport during qualifying for the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race in Daytona Beach, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) board member Michael Graham told reporters Friday that three people aboard the Cessna C550 were licensed pilots, but officials were unable to verify Friday who was piloting the flight.
“This is the beginning of a very long process, and we won’t jump to any conclusions while we’re here in North Carolina, and we won’t jump to any conclusions,” Graham said of the investigation.
The incident sparked an outpouring of sympathy and prayers across the country.
North Carolina politicians, including Gov. Josh Stein, Rep. Pat Harrigan and Rep. Richard Hudson, spoke out after learning that Biffle and his family were among the seven victims of the plane crash. Governor Stein described the loss as “heartbreaking” and recalled Biffle’s selfless response after the state was devastated by Hurricane Helene.
NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon and other racers expressed their condolences on social media, as the organization issued a statement commemorating Biffle.
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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, AP file/photo)
“Greg was more than a champion driver, he was a beloved member of the NASCAR community, a fierce competitor and a friend to many,” NASCAR said in a statement. “His passion for racing, his integrity and his commitment to fans and fellow competitors have had a lasting impact on the sport.
“On the track, Greg’s talent and tenacity have earned him championships in the NASCAR lives.”
