STATESVILLE, N.C. — Federal investigators are expected to provide an update at 3 p.m. Friday after a business jet crashed in Statesville on Thursday, killing all seven people on board, including retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, 55, his wife Cristina and their children, 5-year-old Ryder and 14-year-old Emma.
The jet departed from Statesville Regional Airport at 10:06 a.m. and crashed 9 minutes later, according to FlightAware.
Channel 9’s Dave Faherty spoke with witnesses since the aviation incident.
“I heard his engine sputtering in and out in and out,” said witness Jim Bridges. “And then the next instance I heard a big explosion and the crash. I looked out the window and there were fires all the way following him.”
Federal investigators are sifting through the wreckage to determine what happened.
>>This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com and watch Eyewitness News for updates.
The Cessna C550, a mid-sized business jet, erupted into flames upon impact. It was registered to a company owned by Biffle, who was also rated to fly helicopters and single and multi-engine planes; however, it remains unclear if he was piloting the aircraft at the time of the crash.
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Roommate Benito Howell shared that Craig Wadsworth, who was also on the flight, had aided Biffle in delivering supplies during relief efforts.
The loss of Biffle and the others on the flight has touched many, as reflected in a joint family statement that expressed deep sorrow for their loved ones.
The statement also highlighted Dennis Dutton and his son Jack, who died in the crash, stating, “they were deeply loved as well, and their loss is felt by all who knew them.”
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The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating. Preliminary findings are expected to be released in a month or two with the final report published in 1 or 2 years.
VIDEO: NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, family dead in Statesville plane crash
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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