Former NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace has publicly discussed his personal theory on the tragic incident involving the Greg Biffle plane crash, a loss that has shaken the racing community. On December 18, at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina, Greg Biffle and six others perished when their private Cessna Citation II crashed shortly after takeoff, an event that remains under investigation and leaves many seeking answers.
Details Surrounding the Fatal Flight
The crash occurred during a routine morning departure, around 10:06 AM Eastern Time, when the plane quickly encountered trouble. The aircraft, identified by tail number N257BW, turned back toward Statesville Regional Airport in an urgent attempt to return but did not make it to the runway. Onboard were Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina Grossu, their young son Ryder, Greg’s daughter Emma, Dennis Dutton and his son Jack, and Craig Wadsworth. The community continues to mourn this devastating loss as the official investigation remains ongoing.
The situation used to be clouded by uncertainty regarding who controlled the aircraft at the time, since three of the seven passengers—including Biffle—were certified pilots. Flight data confirmed the rapid sequence of events as the plane tried to circle back, yet so far, authorities have not released a conclusive explanation for the crash.
Kenny Wallace Offers His Perspective
Kenny Wallace, who shares a background in professional racing with Biffle, addressed the public on his YouTube channel to provide what he called an “educated guess” based on conversations with others familiar with aviation. His approach was measured and speculative, repeatedly stating that his theory was opinion-based and not a replacement for official findings. He emphasized that everything remains unofficial until the formal investigation is complete.
Wallace reflected on the circumstances, influenced by what he called insights from knowledgeable contacts, forming the basis for his explanation. He pointed to aerodynamic complications as a likely factor following an engine failure.
I think the plane took off, I think they lost a motor, and then, I guess it started having a lot of drag on it. In other words… yes, we know it should fly just perfectly with one motor.
—Kenny Wallace, Former NASCAR Driver
Wallace mentioned that the aircraft’s distress may have been audible to those nearby, citing a local resident’s account of hearing the engine scream during the plane’s attempts to maneuver back to the airport. This noise suggested that whoever was piloting was pushing the engine to its limits, desperately trying to produce enough power to safely return.
Potential Causes Cited in Wallace’s Analysis
Delving deeper into his theory, Wallace described his thoughts on what likely happened in the final moments. He considered the possibility that technical issues led to insurmountable drag, specifically mentioning the position of the aircraft’s flaps and landing gear, which would have increased resistance and reduced performance following an engine failure.
What I think happened, and once again, we don’t know what happened, and this is my disclaimer. I think they had a lot of drag on the airplane. I think the flaps were down. Now, you respond right here, we’re just having a discussion everybody. It was such a tragic loss. Everybody wants to know what happened.
—Kenny Wallace, Former NASCAR Driver
He elaborated on the sequence, speculating that the difficulty controlling the aircraft might have led the crew to lower the flaps and attempt to head back to the runway, but lacking enough power to compensate for the increased drag.
“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, and they don’t have any horsepower. There was so much drag and they had the throttle wide open, they just didn’t make it. I think that’s what happened. They just didn’t make it to the runway.”
Community Response and Awaiting Answers
The disaster has left the NASCAR world deeply distraught and overwhelmed, with many anxiously awaiting definitive answers. Wallace’s remarks, though speculative, provide some context for those struggling to comprehend the sudden loss. He repeatedly described the incident as a heartbreaking tragedy and showed sensitivity in how he discussed every aspect.
I think it was just a tragic loss of life, and that’s what I respectfully think is what happened. But you know, 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.
—Kenny Wallace, Former NASCAR Driver
Significance and Ongoing Investigation
As the investigation carried out by aviation authorities continues, Kenny Wallace’s theory offers a possible explanation rooted in his own experience and conversations with others involved in aviation. While such insights do not substitute for official findings, they highlight the complexities that can occur even among experienced pilots. The loss of Greg Biffle, Cristina Grossu, Ryder, Emma, Dennis Dutton, Jack, and Craig Wadsworth has left a void in the racing and local communities. The final report from investigators is awaited by everyone, as it may shed light on the exact circumstances and help prevent similar tragedies.
Until then, the focus keyword—Kenny Wallace plane crash theory—remains part of the ongoing discussion as families, fans, and fellow drivers seek comfort, clarity, and a deeper understanding of this catastrophic event at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina.
