Following the North Carolina plane crash that killed Greg Biffle and six others, former NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace made public his personal theory about what caused the tragedy. Speaking candidly, Wallace remarked on the toll the past weeks have had on the motorsports community and shared his view about the sequence of events that may have led to the fatal crash, referencing his experience and information from witnesses and reports.
Biffle’s jet, a Cessna C550, was departing from Statesville Regional Airport in Iredell County when distress struck. The aircraft, carrying Biffle, his wife Cristina, their children, Craig Wadsworth, Dennis Dutton and his son Jack, attempted to return to the airport shortly after takeoff. On descent, the Cessna clipped trees and structures, then struck a fence before erupting in flames at the end of the runway.
The loss was total; all seven people on board perished in the impact. Authorities halted activity at the airport for three days while the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board began examining the scene. Kenny Wallace, drawing on the crash details and movement of the jet as described by those nearby, suggested mechanical failure played a central role.
“Everybody wants to know what happened. I think we lost a motor. That’s where all the up and down was taking place. They decide to come back. The flaps are down. We don’t have any horsepower. So, now we’re laying power to it. I think it had a lot of drag and I think it had so much drag and they were throttle wide open. And I think it just didn’t make it… to the runway.” (2:26 onwards)
Kenny Wallace referred to chilling accounts from the runway, including the sounds that witnesses heard as the plane made its final approach. He emphasized the factors he believed contributed to the disaster and reiterated the emotional impact felt by the racing community.
“That’s what I respectfully think would have happened… The landing gear was down, the flaps were down, and it didn’t have enough horsepower to get to the runway, and it was short. That’s what I think. It’s been a sad, sad couple weeks here with the Greg Biffle tragedy,” he concluded.
With the Federal Aviation Administration and NTSB’s investigation ongoing, authorities have not issued an official cause. Preliminary findings revealed the wreckage was dispersed over approximately 1,800 feet, indicating the aircraft broke apart as it came to a halt at the runway’s eastern end. Records show that one of the passengers managed to text “Emergency landing” just moments before the collision.
Ongoing Investigation and NASCAR Community in Mourning
Ahead of any conclusive findings, investigators are carefully reconstructing events using all available data. While a preliminary report from the NTSB is expected within a month, the complete investigation may take more than a year. For those closest to Greg Biffle, including family, friends, and fellow drivers like Kenny Wallace, this extended uncertainty adds to the grief.
Wallace’s theory—focused on a sudden loss of engine power and excessive drag—joins many circulating within the NASCAR community, but remains his opinion until evidence proves otherwise. The tragedy has resonated with figures throughout the sport, further highlighting the emotional weight of this incident.
Veteran Mark Martin Reacts to Details, Calls Them Deeply Troubling
Respected racing veteran Mark Martin, himself experienced in flight and having lost his father in an airplane accident, voiced his personal distress after learning key facts about Greg Biffle’s crash. While Martin refrained from speculation about the cause, his reaction underscored the grave concern within the community as new information emerges.
“As a Citation pilot for 20 years and a product of around 75 days of @FlightSafetyInt training and over 3000 hours of flight time in the aircraft I have deep knowledge of these aircraft and performance. The more I learn about Biffle’s crash the more disturbing it is to me.”
Investigators have retrieved the cockpit voice and data recorders, which have been transported to Washington, D.C., for forensic analysis. These components are being examined alongside radar records, meteorological data, eyewitness accounts, security camera footage, and communication transcripts in hopes of piecing together a clear chronology of the final moments.
At this time, neither the NTSB nor the FAA has shared definitive answers, and the precise cause remains unconfirmed. As the NASCAR family continues to mourn the loss of Greg Biffle and those aboard, both professional and personal efforts to understand the circumstances mourn are ongoing, making the tragedy a source of distress for many with ties to Biffle, Wallace, and the broader racing world.
Future updates are expected as officials share their findings and the full picture of the accident unfolds. For now, Wallace’s statements about the alleged loss of power and the overwhelming emotional response from those affected contribute further context to a sorrowful chapter in NASCAR history. The Iredell County aviation community and racing enthusiasts across the nation await clarity and a sense of closure in the coming months.
