Federal investigators say a single, urgent text message was sent from inside a small private jet just moments before it went down near a runway in North Carolina. The message, brief and stark, offered the only known communication from the aircraft as it encountered trouble shortly after takeoff. As officials work to understand what went wrong, separate revelations have surfaced that highlight a deeply personal decision made before the flight—one that has since taken on heartbreaking significance.
The aircraft, a Cessna Citation 550, departed Statesville Regional Airport on the morning of December 20, 2025, under clear skies. According to investigators, the jet was airborne for only a short time before turning back toward the airport. It approached the runway for landing but came in lower than expected, striking an approach light structure before crashing nearby. All seven people on board were killed. Authorities later confirmed that the passengers included former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, two of their children, and three others traveling with them. Officials emphasized that the investigation remains in its early stages and that no conclusions have yet been reached about the cause of the accident.
During a briefing, investigators disclosed the contents of the final message sent from the aircraft. It consisted of just two words—“emergency landing”—sent by a passenger to a family member on the ground. Officials said there were no additional texts or calls from the plane. Early findings suggest the aircraft appeared properly configured for landing, with lights on and systems set, and witness accounts indicate the jet seemed stable as it approached, though flying unusually low. An airport worker who saw the plane moments before impact described it passing overhead and descending rapidly beyond the runway area, prompting an immediate emergency call.
Beyond the technical questions, a painful personal detail has emerged that underscores the emotional weight of the tragedy. During a memorial service for Greg Biffle’s daughter, her mother shared that the teenager had not been feeling well and was not originally expected to travel that day. In a written message read on her behalf, she spoke of the anguish she would always carry over allowing her daughter to go despite her discomfort. She also revealed that she had purchased plane tickets for a future family trip as a holiday gift the night before the crash. As investigators analyze flight data, maintenance records, and recovered equipment in hopes of understanding the final moments of the flight, those left behind are confronting not only unanswered questions, but the quiet, irreversible choices that now shape their grief.
