CHARLOTTE — NASCAR legend Greg Biffle, his wife and two children were among seven people killed when their private jet crashed in Statesville on Dec. 18, 2025. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary investigation into the crash of the Cessna 550 Citation, which was released Friday afternoon, cites several anomalies as contributing factors.
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The investigation released by authorities found that the pilot reported multiple instrument failures, including a faulty altitude indicator, while attempting to return to the airport. The Cessna 550 Citation struck objects 1,400 feet from the runway threshold before catching fire.
Biffle was killed alongside his wife, Cristina and their two children, 14-year-old Emma and 5-year-old Ryder. The crash occurred while the family and three other occupants were returning just after takeoff to the airport in Statesville.
Biffle was not flying. However, the pilot, Dennis Dalton, was operating illegally. The Cessna was supposed to have a second-in-command pilot but no one else onboard was qualified.
During taxi, the pilot and the two pilot-rated passengers discussed that a thrust reverser indicator light(s) for an unspecified engine was inoperative.
However, that the thrust reverser for the affected engine was working properly, the report stated.
The investigation into the sequence of events began with the takeoff roll. During this time, a passenger in the rear of the cabin noted that the left engine appeared to be producing more power than the right engine, the report indicated.
The pilot continued the takeoff.
The right-seat passenger attempted to contact ZTL ATC and activate the flight’s IFR flight plan three times but was unsuccessful due to the controller’s workload and associated radio communications.
The passenger indicated to those onboard that the aircraft might have a faulty gauge.
Technical issues worsened as the flight progressed.
Starting at 10:10 a.m., the cockpit area microphone recorded the pilot reporting that his altitude indicator was not functioning correctly.
The pilot, Dutton, also said that additional flight instruments located on the left side of the cockpit appeared to be failing.
Because of the malfunctioning instruments, control of the airplane was transferred to a passenger sitting in the right seat, who was his son, Jack, a pilot with little experience.
Investigators determined Jack was not qualified to perform the duties required for a second-in-command pilot.
About 10:13 a.m., at an altitude of about 1,870 feet, the pilot and both pilot-rated passengers stated they could see the ground as weather conditions worsened.
Although a transfer of airplane control was not recorded, the actions onboard indicated that Dutton resumed control of the airplane at that time.
Dutton requested the flaps be extended, made a right turn to a westerly heading, and requested the landing gear be extended.
They talked about the landing gear being configured; however, the gear indicator lights were not illuminated.
A passenger told the pilot regarding power to the alternator; however, the CE-550 airplane is not equipped with an alternator, the NTSB said.
Dutton said there was a “problem” but didn’t say what it was or if there was anything done about it.
The plane rolled out of a turn heading toward runway 28 at 1,240 feet going 114 knots. The pilot said he could see the runway.
The plane was aligned with the final approach. The Indicated Air Speed increased to 107 knots and decreased to 93 knots in the final five seconds of data, the NTSB said.
The jet eventually struck runway light stations and trees approximately 1,400 feet from the runway threshold. After the aircraft came to a rest, it was consumed by flames.
The preliminary report indicates the crash resulted from the combination of these instrument anomalies and a subsequent loss of situational awareness by the crew.
There has been no evidence of a major engine failure.
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