In the early hours of what should have been an ordinary December morning, a quiet runway in North Carolina became the focus of a tragedy that continues to raise painful questions. Federal investigators have now revealed that just moments before a small private jet went down, a short, urgent text message was sent from inside the aircraft. The message—brief but alarming—has become a central detail as officials work to reconstruct the final seconds of the flight. As the investigation unfolds, newly shared personal details are adding emotional weight to an already devastating loss.
The aircraft, a Cessna Citation 550, departed Statesville Regional Airport on December 20, 2025, in clear weather conditions. According to investigators, the jet was airborne only briefly before turning back toward the airport. While attempting to land, the plane approached the runway at a lower-than-normal altitude and struck an approach light structure before crashing nearby. All seven people on board were killed, including former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, two of their children, and three others traveling with them. Authorities have stressed that the investigation is still in its early stages and that no definitive cause has yet been identified.
During a recent briefing, officials confirmed that the final communication from the aircraft was a two-word text message reading “emergency landing,” sent to a family member on the ground. There were no additional calls or messages from the plane. Preliminary findings indicate the jet appeared properly configured for landing, with systems and lighting set as expected. Witnesses described the aircraft as seemingly stable but unusually low as it approached the runway. An airport employee who observed the descent reported seeing the jet pass overhead before it dropped out of view, prompting an immediate emergency response.
Beyond the technical investigation, a deeply personal revelation has emerged that highlights the human side of the tragedy. At a memorial service for one of the Biffle children, her mother shared that her daughter had not been feeling well and was not initially expected to travel that day. In a message read aloud, she expressed lasting sorrow over allowing her daughter to go despite her discomfort. She also revealed that she had purchased tickets for a future family trip the night before the crash as a holiday gift. As investigators continue analyzing flight data, maintenance records, and recovered equipment, the families left behind are facing not only unanswered questions—but also the quiet, irreversible decisions that now echo through their grief.