Dale Earnhardt Jr., renowned NASCAR driver, has spoken out about the terrifying Dale Earnhardt Jr. plane crash, drawing renewed attention after the recent, tragic death of fellow racer Greg Biffle and his family in a separate plane accident. The incident involving Earnhardt Jr. occurred in August 2019 in Elizabethton, Tennessee, nearly costing him and his family their lives as they traveled for the NASCAR Cup Series weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway.
The Harrowing Moments on the Runway
On that fateful day, Earnhardt Jr. was in the aircraft with his wife Amy, their 16-month-old daughter, and their family dog when disaster struck. As the plane attempted to land, it bounced twice, skidding across the runway before catching fire. Dale Jr. was holding his daughter throughout the ordeal. Despite the chaos, all on board survived, though three passengers suffered minor injuries. The quick action of one of the pilots, who forced open the main cabin door, enabled everyone to evacuate rapidly before flames consumed the plane.
At the time, their plane was scheduled next to fly to Texas with the rest of the family after the Bristol event. The traumatic experience underscored just how precarious air travel can be, especially in a community already on edge from recent tragedies.
Earnhardt Jr.’s Emotional Reflections
In his conversation with Fox Sports, Earnhardt Jr. described both the fear and the difficult aftermath of the crash:
“It was a very tough experience to go through. I try not to get into that, think about [it happening to my family] too much. Things happen for a reason. You just try to learn from it and move on,”
Dale Jr. said in an interview with Fox Sports, reflecting on the harrowing crash.
He also expressed a renewed appreciation for his family, especially his daughter:
“I love my daughter so much and enjoy being around her, and look forward to watching her grow up and experiencing a lot of things with her going forward. That just made you realize that that much more. I’m just thankful and ready to live our lives,”
he added.
Crash Investigation Highlights
While the recent accident involving Greg Biffle’s family is suspected to have been caused by engine failure, the circumstances in Earnhardt Jr.’s crash were notably different. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) identified a critical error involving the plane’s thrust reversers. As the aircraft bounced for the second time, the thrust reversers had already been deployed. This key detail prevented pilots Jeff Milton and Richard Pope from increasing engine power to attempt a go-around and make another landing attempt.
During the incident, part of the landing gear failed, and a section of the right wing struck the runway as the plane made its final, desperate touchdown with just 1,000 feet of usable runway left. Following this, the aircraft tore through a chain-link fence and came to a stop near Tennessee Highway 91. Initial attempts to escape through the emergency hatch above the wing failed, forcing the passengers—still shaken—to exit through the main door before the plane erupted in flames.
A witness, identified as a former U.S. Air Force member, responded quickly, rushing to assist Earnhardt Jr. after observing him on the ground outside the burning plane.
The Lasting Impact on the NASCAR Community
This near-tragedy, coupled with Greg Biffle’s devastating accident, has cast a somber shadow over NASCAR, intensifying conversations about the dangers associated with flying. For Earnhardt Jr., the brush with death remains a powerful reminder of life’s fragility and has clearly strengthened his bond with his family. As investigations continue into both accidents, aviation safety is likely to remain a central focus within the racing world, with many hoping for improved safety protocols—and fewer close calls in the future.
