What’s a Cessna C550? What to know following the Charlotte-area plane crash

By Tanasia Kenney

Updated December 18, 2025 5:03 PM

Greg Biffle, 6 others killed in NC plane crash

A plane crashed early Thursday at Statesville Regional Airport, killing seven people, including NASCAR star Greg Biffle, his wife and two children, and three other people. Biffle, who flew aircraft in WNC to help victims of Hurricane Helene, owned the Cessna that crashed mid-morning north of Charlotte.

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A private jet linked to a NASCAR driver crashed Thursday, Dec. 18, while landing at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina, The Charlotte Observer reported, citing federal authorities and airport officials.

Multiple fatalities were reported, although officials haven’t confirmed the number of people who were on board the aircraft: a Cessna C550 jet.

The fiery crash occurred at approximately 10:15 a.m., prompting a response from several agencies “including HazMat, EMS, Fire, Rescue, Emergency Management, the NC State Highway Patrol, and the Federal Aviation Administration,” according to airport officials.

The plane is reportedly owned by NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, and FlightAware reports it was scheduled to spend much of the day in Florida with stops in Sarasota and Fort Lauderdale.

Greg Biffle, center, is regarded as one of NASCAR’s top 75 drivers of all time. He and his family died on Dec. 18 after his plane crashed at Statesville Regional Airport, which is about 45 miles north of Charlotte. Courtesy of Lake Norman Humane

Details of what led to the crash remain under investigation, authorities said.

Here’s what to know about the Cessna C550.

How big is a Cessna C550?

The Cessna C550 is a “small to midsize corporate jet,” according to SKYbrary Aviation Safety.

Wingspan: 15.90 m (52.2 feet)
Length: 14.40 m (47.2 feet)
Height: 4.60 m (15.1 feet)

How many engines does a Cessna C550 have?

The Cessna C550 is a twin engine turbofan aircraft, per PlanePHD.com.

How many passengers can a Cessna C550 seat?

The jet can fit up to seven passengers, plus two pilots, according to Chapman Freeborn, an aircraft charter company.

“The jet also boasts luggage space of 74 cubic feet, which is ample for personal belongings, making it suitable for both business and leisure travel,” the company’s website says.

How long can a Cessna C550 fly?

The light jet has a maximum endurance of 4.5 hours, according to Chapman Freeborn.

This refers to the amount of time an aircraft can remain airborne at cruising speed and requires “the minimum fuel power,” according to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Past incidents involving the Cessna C550

The Cessna C550 jet had been involved in accidents or serious incidents in recent years, including:

Mark Price contributed to this reporting.

This story was originally published December 18, 2025 at 4:29 PM with the headline "What’s a Cessna C550? What to know following the Charlotte-area plane crash."

Tanasia Kenney

Sun Herald

Tanasia is a service journalism reporter at the Charlotte Observer | CharlotteFive, working remotely from Atlanta, Georgia. She covers restaurant openings/closings in Charlotte and statewide explainers for the NC Service Journalism team. She’s been with McClatchy since 2020.