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Federal Investigators say cockpit instrument problems and uneven engine indications occurred shortly before a Cessna Citation 550 crashed at Statesville Regional Airport (SVH) in North Carolina, killing a total of 7 people, including NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his family, according to a preliminary report released on Friday.The jet crashed around 10:15 a.m. on Dec 18, 2025. The aircraft had just departed runway 10 under visual flight rules, with plans to activate an instrument flight rules clearance on the way to Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport (SQR).
The CVR recording indicated the airline transport-rated pilot was flying the plane while his adult son was in the right seat, typically reserved for a second in command. However, the report notes that the right-seat passenger had only single-engine experience and an instrument rating, making him unqualified to serve as the second pilot. The pilot's type-rating for the Citation required he have a second in command.The rear passenger also had a private pilot certificate, according to the report.
The pilot and two pilot-rated passengers were heard on the CVR recording discussing an inoperative thrust reverser indicator light, though they believed the system itself was working properly. During takeoff, the rear-seat passenger noted that the left engine appeared to be producing more power than the right, suggesting a faulty gauge. The report states the pilot continued with takeoff.
Preliminary GPS data showed the aircraft took a climbing left turn after departure, before descending. As the aircraft maneuvered, the right-seat passenger tried to contact air traffic control three times to activate the IFR flight plan, but was unsuccessful, the report stated, because of the controller's workload and other radio communications.
Moments later, the pilot reported problems with his altitude indicator and other left-side flight instruments. Data from the aircraft's Garmin navigation system showed airspeed and heading information stopped recording for a period. Control of the airplane was then briefly transferred to the right-seat pilot at about 4,500 feet, with no recorded indication that the right-side instruments were malfunctioning.
The crew later reported having the runway in sight and began configuring the aircraft for landing. However, the gear indicator lights did not illuminate, the report stated. Shortly before the crash, the right-seat passenger broadcast on the airport's traffic frequency, saying, "We're having some issues here."
The Citation 550 hit a light station about 1,380 feet from the runway threshold before continuing through trees and impacting terrain. The airplane then caught fire, consuming much of the fuselage. Both engines remained attached, thrust reversers were found towed, and there was no evidence of an uncontained engine failure or pre-impact structural breakup.
Weather near the time of the accident included heavy drizzle and low ceilings, with broken clouds reported as low as 1,200 feet, according to the report.
The report did not list a cause for the crash. The NTSB and FAA are continuing to investigate.
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