Lawsuits Filed After Plane Crash That Killed NASCAR Legend and 6 Others Nearly five months after a plane crash claimed the lives of seven people, including a prominent NASCAR figure, two lawsuits have been filed in connection to the tragedy. The incident, which occurred on December 18 in North Carolina, has prompted legal action against the owner of the aircraft, with claims seeking $15 million in damages. The lawsuits, filed in Iredell County Superior Court, are being pursued on behalf of the Dutton estate, according to court documents obtained by ESPN and local station WBTV. The crash involved a Cessna C550 jet that crashed near the Statesville Regional Airport, approximately 45 miles north of Charlotte. Among the victims were Greg Biffle, a former race car driver, his wife Cristina Biffle, their 5-year-old son Ryder, and Biffle’s daughter Emma, 14. Also killed were Dennis Rollin Dutton, his son Jack Dutton, and Dutton’s employee and friend Craig Wadsworth. Biffle, who owned the aircraft, was reportedly responsible for its maintenance, operation, and safety, according to the lawsuits. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is still investigating the official cause of the crash, which occurred in severe weather conditions. Flight tracking data from FlightAware indicates the plane was en route to Florida but attempted to return to the regional airport shortly after takeoff. The aircraft, registered to a company linked to Biffle, was piloted by Dutton, an experienced pilot, as per an autopsy report obtained by USA TODAY. Jack Dutton, who was in the co-pilot seat, was assisting during the flight but was not qualified to operate the plane. The crash took place around 10:15 a.m. ET as the pilot attempted to land at the airport.#nascar #greg_biffle #crisina_biffle #craig_wadsworth #dutton
Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed Against Estate of NASCAR’s Greg Biffle Months After Plane Crash A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against the estate of NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, months after a plane crash claimed his life and that of six others. The lawsuit, initiated by the estate of Dennis Dutton, alleges that Biffle owned the Cessna 550 involved in the crash and was responsible for its maintenance, operation, and safety. The case seeks $15 million in damages. Additionally, the estate of Emma Biffle, Biffle’s wife, filed a separate wrongful death lawsuit against the Dutton estate, requesting $10 million. The crash occurred on December 18, 2025, when Biffle, his wife, their two children, and three other passengers—Dennis Dutton, Jack Dutton, and Craig Wadsworth—were killed in a fiery incident at the Statesville Regional Airport. The Cessna 550 was attempting to return to the runway when it crashed. Court documents reveal that the lawsuit against Biffle’s estate centers on his alleged responsibility for the aircraft’s condition and safety protocols. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a preliminary report on January 30, detailing potential factors contributing to the crash. The report highlighted a combination of faulty flight instruments and pilot behavior. While the crash involved seven passengers, the report only noted the experiences of three. It did not specify who was piloting the plane, though the Associated Press confirmed that Biffle was not the pilot. The NTSB report outlined several malfunctions on the day of the crash, including a faulty altitude indicator, malfunctioning flight instruments, and issues with the engine power and temperature gauges. The plane first struck an object at approximately 1,400 feet above the runway before catching fire.#nascar #greg_biffle #dennis_dutton #ntsb #statesville_regional_airport
Two Wrongful Death Lawsuits Filed in Deadly Biffle Plane Crash Two new wrongful death lawsuits have been filed in connection with the fatal December plane crash that claimed the lives of former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, their two children, and pilots Dennis Dutton and his son Jack. The lawsuits, filed by the Dutton estates earlier this week, each seek $15 million in damages. The Dutton family alleges that Biffle, who owned the aircraft, was responsible for ensuring the plane was properly maintained. According to the filings, inadequate maintenance and upkeep contributed to the crash. The crash occurred on December 18 when the Cessna 500 Citation II, piloted by Dennis Dutton, crashed shortly after takeoff from Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina. A preliminary report released earlier this year indicated that the plane’s altimeter was providing incorrect readings, and Dennis Dutton had transferred control to his son, Jack Dutton, just before the crash. The aircraft erupted into a large fire upon impact, landing about a third of a mile from the airport’s runway. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has confirmed that Jack Dutton was seated in the copilot position during the flight. However, neither Jack Dutton nor Biffle held the necessary endorsement on their pilot’s licenses to serve as a copilot on that particular aircraft. Aviation safety consultant Jeff Guzzetti, who previously investigated crashes for both the NTSB and Federal Aviation Administration, stated that the absence of an experienced copilot may have been a critical factor in the crash. The NTSB is still conducting its investigation and has not yet released its final report. The agency’s findings could play a pivotal role in determining liability and the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.#greg_biffle #dennis_dutton #jack_dutton #crisina_biffle #cessna_500_citation_ii
Continuing Greg Biffle’s generosity with the Biffle Family Legacy Impact Fund The Biffle Family Legacy Impact Fund is set to distribute its first grants approximately three months after the tragic plane crash in Statesville that claimed the lives of NASCAR legend Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, their children, and three others. Jordyn Biffle Carpenter, the fund’s advisor and the niece of Greg and Cristina Biffle, emphasized that the primary focus of the initiative is to honor the values and priorities that were central to Greg and Cristina’s lives. Carpenter, who is overseeing the fund’s operations in collaboration with the Foundation for the Carolinas, explained that the foundation was established in response to an overwhelming outpouring of support from racing fans and community groups. These individuals expressed a strong desire to continue supporting the causes and charities that Greg Biffle cared about, prompting the creation of the fund as a lasting tribute to his legacy. Greg Biffle was known for his dedication to various organizations, including the Lake Norman Humane Society, the Red Cross, and cancer research initiatives. He also played a significant role in aiding the recovery efforts of Western North Carolina following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. The foundation aims to carry forward his commitment to these causes while also addressing new opportunities for impact. Carpenter reflected on the emotional weight of the family’s responsibility, noting that Greg and Cristina were characterized by their relentless drive and generosity. “Greg and Cristina both were all gas no brakes, 24/7, always going, always doing stuff,” she said.#greg_biffle #cristina_biffle #jordyn_biffle_carpenter #foundation_for_the_carolinas #lake_norman_humane_society
