A Cessna C550 plane owned by the GB Aviation company and affiliated with US racing driver Greg Biffle crashed and exploded in North Carolina on Thursday while attempting to land. 

The Statesville Regional Airport said the crash occurred at 10:15 a.m. local time (1515 UTC/GMT), and that officials from the Federal Aviation Administration were headed to the site. 

"I can confirm there were fatalities," Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell said.

Flight tracking data appeared to indicate that the aircraft had just taken off, and tried to turn around and land again soon after.

Investigators have said it is too early to determine what caused the crash.

Friend of Biffle's says he and his family were flying to see him

Seven people died in the crash, including Biffle; his wife, Cristina Grossu Biffle; their son, Ryder; and Greg Biffle's daughter, Emma. The other victims were identified as Craig Wadsworth, Dennis Dutton and Dutton's son, Jack, according to a statement from the victims' families.

The statement said all the victims were "beloved by many in the NASCAR community."

"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," the race company said on X.

NASCAR and motorsport YouTuber Garret Mitchell, a friend of Biffle's who goes by the online alias Cleetus McFarland, wrote on social media that the 56-year-old and his immediate family were on board. 

"Unfortunately, I can confirm Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, and son Ryder were on that plane… because they were on their way to spend the afternoon with us. We are devastated. I’m so sorry to share this," Mitchell wrote on Facebook.

Local broadcasters like WCNC Charlotte in North Carolina reported that Biffle had been killed.

Congressman Addison McDowell also said on X that he is grieving the loss of Greg Biffle, his wife and the children.

Greg Biffle: Retired NASCAR star named one of the series' top 75 drivers

Greg Biffle's NASCAR career spanned more than 500 races in the NASCAR Cup, with 19 race wins and 13 pole positions. His best championship finish was as runner-up in the 2005 season, with the title eluding him.

He won the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2000 and was champion in the 2002 NASCAR Busch Series before graduating to the top tier of US stock car racing. 

In 2023, he was named one of NASCAR's 75 greatest drivers of all time. Born in Vancouver in Washington state in the northwest of the US, he lived far to the east and south in North Carolina, the heart of NASCAR country, for years.

Biffle was a flying enthusiast with many hours in the air under his belt in a variety of aircraft over a period of years. He made headlines in September 2024 when he used his personal helicopter to deliver aid to people affected by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina.

Edited by: Dmytro Hubenko