Statesville, North Carolina – Dec. 18, 2025 — A private business jet crashed and erupted into flames at Statesville Regional Airport in Iredell County on Thursday morning, resulting in multiple fatalities, local authorities confirmed. The incident has drawn intense scrutiny from aviation officials and has left the community shaken as investigators work to determine the cause of the disaster.

Crash Details and Timeline

According to early reports, the aircraft involved was a Cessna C550 business jet. The plane departed from Statesville Regional Airport at approximately 10:06 a.m. local time, but within minutes turned back toward the airport and crashed while attempting to land around 10:15 a.m. The exact sequence leading up to the crash remains under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Emergency responders from multiple agencies, including the West Iredell Fire Department, Statesville Fire Department, and Iredell EMS, arrived swiftly at the scene after witnesses reported the aircraft in distress. Video footage and photographs from the site show the jet engulfed in a large fireball on or near the runway, with debris scattered across the airport grounds.

Fatalities and Unknowns

Local law enforcement has confirmed multiple fatalities from the crash, although officials have not released an exact count or identified the victims. It is also not yet known whether there were any survivors. Flight tracking data suggests that six people may have been aboard the aircraft, but these figures have not been verified by authorities.

Public records indicate that the plane is owned by a North Carolina-based private company affiliated with retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, although it is unclear whether Biffle or any members of his family were on board at the time of the crash.

Airport Operations and Closure

Statesville Regional Airport is a city-owned facility located about 45 miles north of Charlotte. It serves as a hub for corporate aviation and is frequently used by Fortune 500 companies and several professional racing teams. In the aftermath of the crash, the airport has been closed to all incoming and outgoing flights while investigators and cleanup crews work at the scene.

Officials have emphasized that the closure is necessary to ensure safety and to preserve evidence for the ongoing investigation. Travelers who had scheduled flights through Statesville Regional Airport have been advised to seek alternatives at nearby airports.

Investigation Under Way

The FAA and NTSB are leading the investigation into the cause of the crash, with assistance from local law enforcement. Early in their work, investigators are collecting flight data and examining the wreckage to determine whether mechanical failure, human error, weather conditions, or other factors played a role in the tragedy.

Weather reports from the morning indicated cloud cover and light drizzle in the region, though it is not yet clear if these conditions contributed to the aircraft’s difficulty during landing. Officials have stressed that no definitive conclusions can be drawn until a thorough analysis of the evidence is complete.

Community Impact

The crash has had a profound effect on the local community in Statesville and surrounding areas. Residents living near the airport reported hearing a loud explosion and seeing smoke rising over the airport shortly after the incident occurred. Emergency crews have been working through the day to secure the scene and support families of the victims.

Officials have urged the public to avoid the area to allow first responders to carry out their duties without interference. Counseling services are being mobilized to assist those affected by the grim events, including airport personnel and witnesses who observed the crash.

Historical Context and Safety Concerns

While commercial aviation in the United States maintains a strong safety record, accidents involving private and corporate jets, particularly smaller models like the Cessna C550, occur from time to time. Such incidents often prompt questions about maintenance practices, pilot training, and weather decision-making processes. Investigators will likely consider all these factors as part of their work in the coming weeks.

Next Steps

Authorities with the FAA and NTSB have promised periodic updates as the investigation progresses. It may take months before a final report is released detailing the specific causes of the crash. Meanwhile, the families of the victims and the broader aviation community await more information about what led to this tragic event at Statesville Regional Airport.