Multiple Dead after Plane Crashes and Erupts into Flames at North Carolina Airport

A small business jet crashed and erupted into flames at the Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina Thursday morning, killing several people and sparking a massive emergency response.

The twin-engine Cessna C550 went down around 10:15 a.m. as it attempted to land, according to airport officials. Witnesses say the aircraft appeared to be in trouble shortly after takeoff, circling back toward the runway before slamming into the ground and exploding.

“It was just a fireball,” said local resident Mark Stillwell, who was driving nearby when he saw thick black smoke rising from the runway. “The flames were so intense, you couldn’t even get close. It’s something I’ll never forget.”

Firefighters raced to the scene as plumes of smoke towered over the airport, located roughly 50 miles north of Charlotte. Photos from first responders show the aircraft engulfed in flames near the tarmac, with emergency vehicles lined up around the wreckage.

William Hamby, chief deputy with the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office, confirmed to reporters that his team was among the first to arrive.
“Our deputies immediately set up a perimeter and helped coordinate the fire crews,” Hamby said. “The investigation is now being led by the North Carolina Highway Patrol and the FAA.”

Local outlet WBTV cited police sources who confirmed there were multiple fatalities, though the exact number of victims remains unclear. Officials have not released any names pending family notification.

According to FAA records, the jet was registered to GB Aviation Leasing — a company owned by former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle. Officials have not said whether Biffle or anyone connected to him was on board at the time.

The Statesville Regional Airport, a city-owned facility, is frequently used by NASCAR teams and Fortune 500 companies for private travel. The crash has rattled the local racing community, many of whom rely on the airport’s corporate aviation services.

“This airport is like the heartbeat of our local racing industry,” said longtime mechanic and pilot enthusiast Tim Garrison. “When something like this happens, it hits everyone here.”

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are expected to lead a full investigation into what caused the crash. Early reports suggest the pilot may have declared an emergency shortly after takeoff, prompting the plane’s attempt to return.

By early afternoon, federal investigators and local authorities had cordoned off the area. Burned debris remained scattered across a section of the runway as recovery teams worked in steady rain to document the scene.

For residents in Statesville, the tragedy marks one of the worst aviation incidents in the region’s recent history. “You don’t expect something like this at a small airport,” said resident Angela Morton. “It’s heartbreaking to think about those families right before Christmas.”

Authorities have urged the public to stay away from the area as the investigation continues.