A jet crashed and exploded, killing six people in North Carolina on Thursday. The deadly incident unfolded during a landing attempt at Statesville Regional Airport. Emergency crews rushed to the scene following the crash, which occurred around 10:15 a.m., according to a statement shared on social media by the airport.
Officials confirmed that the aircraft involved was a private business jet owned by a company linked to former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle.
Authorities said the jet went down while landing and burst into flames upon impact. The crash created a large fire visible across the airfield. Emergency response included members from the West Iredell Fire Department, Statesville Fire Department, Iredell Emergency Medical Services, the Iredell County Rescue Squad, and other supporting units.
Thick smoke and wreckage marked the area as responders worked to contain the aftermath.
Law enforcement officials later confirmed that six people, including one pilot, are dead. Auhorities have not identified the victims.
The airport was immediately shut down following the crash. Airport Director John Ferguson said the closure will remain while the debris scattered on the runway is cleared and probed. The closure has disrupted operations at the regional airport, which serves corporate aviation clients, including Fortune 500 companies and several NASCAR teams.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed it is examining the incident, while the National Transportation Safety Board has also joined the investigation. Officials have not yet released preliminary findings. Records from the FAA registry show that the aircraft was a Cessna 550 owned by GB Aviation Leasing LLC, a private company connected to Greg Biffle. The jet reportedly took off shortly after 10 a.m., though the circumstances leading up to the attempted landing and crash remain under review.
Weather conditions at the time may have played a role, according to Dan DePodwin, vice president of forecasting operations for AccuWeather. DePodwin said that the plane crashed during adverse weather of heavy drizzle and a low cloud ceiling of about 1,200 feet. Reduced visibility was also reported shortly afterwards.
