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A chilling text message sent by a passenger aboard the fatal North Carolina plane crash that killed NASCAR star Greg Biffle and his family suggests the aircraft may have attempted to return to Statesville Regional Airport roughly 10 minutes after takeoff for an “emergency landing.”
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) held a press conference Saturday morning to discuss the plane crash that killed all seven passengers aboard Thursday morning. NTSB board member Michael Graham confirmed that the exact cause of the crash remains unknown.
Greg Biffle is introduced during driver introductions before a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, on July 5, 2015. (Terry Renna, File/AP Photo)
“We do not know the circumstances which led the aircraft… to attempt to return to the airport, but that is the focus of our investigation,” he began.
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Graham was asked at Friday’s initial press conference about a reported text sent from Biffle’s wife, Cristina Grossu Biffle, to her mother in which she texted, “We’re in trouble.”
At the time, Graham said he was unaware of the message but on Saturday, he confirmed that one unnamed passenger did send a distressing message.
“This morning, I can confirm that the NTSB is aware of one brief text from a passenger aboard the aircraft to a family member that read, ‘Emergency landing.’”
Graham added, “We are not aware of any other communications from passengers onboard the aircraft to those on the ground.” ]
NASCAR Cup Series driver Greg Biffle (44) during practice for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. (Mike Dinovo/USA TODAY Sports)
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Biffle, 55, was killed alongside his wife, Cristina, and children Ryder, 5, and Emma, 14. Three other people killed onboard were identified as Dennis Dutton, his son Jack, and Craig Wadsworth.
The seven-person flight was making its way to the Bahamas via Sarasota, Florida, when it crashed at Statesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles north of Charlotte. NTSB Investigator-In-Charge Dan Baker said Friday that the plane took off at approximately 10:05 a.m. ET and began to turn back to the airport five minutes after take off.
The plane crashed roughly 10 minutes after departure.
Greg Biffle #69 kisses his son with Cristina Grossu looking on before climbing into his car during the Camping World Superstar Racing Experience event at Slinger Speedway on July 10, 2021, in Slinger, Wisconsin. (Logan Riely/SRX via Getty Images)
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According to Graham, three people aboard the Cessna C550 were licensed pilots, but officials were not able to verify as of Friday who was piloting the flight. He added Saturday that that information was still unknown.
He also noted Saturday that early witness accounts did not point to any apparent issues with the plane.
“Early indications from multiple sources indicate that the airplane was stable on approach, configured for landing with the landing lights on, but the aircraft was coming low.”
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