A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has clarified that retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, who perished in a plane crash on December 18, 2025, was not at the controls of the aircraft at the time of the accident. Investigators determined that the jet was being flown by Dennis Dutton, a retired airline pilot. Biffle was present as a passenger when the Cessna Citation 550 jet crashed near Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina, killing all seven on board—including Biffle, his wife Cristina, their two children, and two members of the Dutton family. Investigators’ report.

The NTSB found that while Dennis Dutton had the required type rating for the aircraft, the man seated in the copilot’s seat—his son, Jack Dutton—lacked the necessary endorsement and had only about 175 hours of flight experience. Neither Jack Dutton nor Greg Biffle held appropriate second‑in‑command certification for that aircraft. Several cockpit instrument issues were reported before the crash, including malfunctioning altimeters and a faulty thrust reverser indicator light. The crew briefly attempted to troubleshoot these anomalies mid‑flight but ultimately, the aircraft descended too low and struck approach lighting equipment before crashing and erupting in flames. AP report. Additional details.

An aviation safety consultant emphasized that the absence of a fully qualified co‑pilot may have been critical. With only one properly rated pilot, the ability to manage flight emergencies was compromised, especially as instrumentation began to fail. The cockpit voice recorder experienced intermittent failure, complicating investigators’ efforts to reconstruct the flight’s final moments. While the pilot reportedly pushed the throttles forward in a last‑ditch attempt to regain altitude, the jet remained dangerously low and crashed. AP report; CT Insider.

Why this matters: The preliminary findings raise significant concerns about the importance of proper crew certification in small jet operations. Federal Aviation Administration rules require both pilots to be appropriately rated for the specific aircraft type. The Dutton case shows that even experienced pilots may face perilous outcomes when regulatory safeguards are bypassed. Given the tragic loss of a public figure with strong regional ties—and the involvement of unqualified crew members—this story is a cautionary tale for general aviation safety standards nationwide.