Here are the 7 people who died in the Biffle plane crash in the Charlotte area
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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 plane crash at Statesville Regional Airport Thursday morning, Dec. 18, claimed the lives of multiple people, including former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle.
The aircraft, a business jet owned by Biffle, went down while attempting to land in heavy rain and low visibility, The Charlotte Observer reported. The airport remains closed as investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration assess the scene.
Here are the lives that were lost in the crash.
Greg Biffle
Biffle was a celebrated NASCAR driver whose 14-year career included 19 Cup Series wins and championships in both the Craftsman Truck Series and Xfinity Series, earning him Hall of Fame consideration.
Beyond racing, he drew attention for his humanitarian work, notably using his helicopter to deliver supplies and rescue stranded families during Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina.
Biffle was also a family man, married to Cristina Grossu, with whom he shared a son, Ryder Jack, and daughter, Emma. Additionally, he gave back through his Greg Biffle Foundation supporting animal welfare and enjoyed outdoor hobbies like boating, fishing and building off-road vehicles.
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Cristina Grossu
Grossu was a well‑established real estate broker based in the Charlotte area, known for her success in helping clients buy and sell homes across North Carolina and neighboring states after graduating from the University of Southern California.
She earned several industry honors, including Realtor Magazine’s “30 Under 30” and recognition as a top agent in social media and market performance, and was featured in The Charlotte Observer as one of the region’s rising real estate professionals.
Grossu also co‑owned a home staging business and was active in community and humanitarian efforts, including organizing and supporting disaster relief work after Hurricane Helene. She married Biffle in January 2023, often posting about family life on social media.
Emma Elizabeth and Ryder Jack Biffle
Biffle had two children: a daughter, Emma Elizabeth, born in 2011, whom he shared with his first wife, Nicole Lunders, and a son, Ryder Jack Biffle, born in 2020, with Grossu.
Emma was born during Biffle’s NASCAR career and lived primarily with her mother following their parents’ divorce. Ryder was the couple’s first child together and was welcomed as part of Biffle’s blended family.
In September, Biffle and Grossu celebrated their son’s fifth birthday, posing for a picture that Biffle posted to Instagram.
Dennis and Jack Dutton
Dennis Dutton was a pilot, according to an X (formerly Twitter) post by Fox Sports motorsports reporter Bob Pockrass. On LinkedIn, Dennis Dutton of Davidson is listed as an international A-330 Captain at Delta Airlines and a retired U.S. Air Force Reserves pilot officer.
Jack Dutton recently became an Instrument Rated Private Pilot ASEL, according to his post on LinkedIn. He identifies himself as a flight student at Auburn University and was working at a coffee shop. He graduated from William Amos Hough High School in Cornelius, NC, near Davidson.
Craig Wadsworth
Wadsworth was a “beloved member of the NASCAR community,” according to a statement from NASCAR.
He drove the motor coach of NASCAR reporter and former driver Kenny Wallace. In an 11-minute-long tribute to Biffle, Wallace said Wadsworth was like family.
This story was originally published December 18, 2025 at 6:03 PM with the headline "Here are the 7 people who died in the Biffle plane crash in the Charlotte area."
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