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
