Greg Biffle plane crash: Investigators identify man piloting plane

NTSB preliminary investigation determines former NASCAR driver Greg Beaver out of control when his plane crashed In December 2025, he and six others were killed.

retired pilot Dennis Dutton Flying airplanes with his son, Jack DuttonHe was his co-pilot, according to a National Transportation Safety Board report released Friday, Jan. 30.

Biffle, 55, and his wife Christinahis 14-year-old daughter, Emmaand his 5-year-old son, Ryderkilled along with the Dutton family and a NASCAR driver Craig Wadsworth On Dec. 18, a plane owned by Biffle crashed minutes after takeoff at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina.

this The report states Dennis was licensed to fly a Cessna 550 aircraft, provided he also had a qualified co-pilot. However, Jack is not qualified to serve as second in command. Neither does Biff, who also has a pilot’s license.

The National Transportation Safety Board also released more information about what happened to the plane and how the Duttons reacted as they tried to return to the airport minutes before the crash. It was determined that Dennis was flying the plane as it took off, then temporarily handed control over to his son before taking it back as they attempted to land the plane.

After discovering that the altimeter was malfunctioning and determining that “the left flight instruments may not be functioning properly,” they attempted to return to the airport.

“Both engines remained secured to the tower structure and both thrust reversers were in the retracted position,” the report continued. “There was no evidence of non-containment engine failure in either engine.”

As the plane attempted to land, it struck trees and light supports outside the airport before going through the fence that separates the airport from the main road. The ensuing fire left the ground “severely scorched” and tree branches and grass blackened, the report added.

This is consistent with the view of field observers Report on 911 call Obtained from TMZ January. A caller who was golfing at nearby Lakewood Golf Course told dispatchers, “A plane flew over our heads and then crashed into the tree line.”

Another observed the plane going “straight down” causing a “huge explosion.”

The specific cause of the accident is still under investigation. There was no flight data recorder on board, but it wasn’t required.

Former military pilots say it could take years for the NTSB to conclude its investigation, even though the initial report was released six weeks after the crash And roses Tell US Weekly December only.

“I would say that the (National Transportation Safety Board) breach probably took almost two years to issue a final report,” Ross said. “The National Transportation Safety Board did a good job of coming out with what was called a preliminary report within the first few weeks. But overall, it was very sloppy.”

Ross continued, “As someone who watches these a lot, you can kind of read between the lines and kind of tell where the investigation is going. Is it mechanical? Is it pilot error? Is it weather? Things like that.”