据前纳斯卡车手格雷格·比夫勒及其家人和官员称，周四，一架小型飞机在北卡罗来纳州斯泰茨维尔地区机场降落时坠毁并起火，导致其死亡。
北卡罗来纳高速公路巡逻队表示，他们正在等待法医的确认，但“据信格雷戈里·比夫勒先生和他的直系亲属是飞机上的乘客。”
Iredell县治安官达伦·坎贝尔告诉ABC新闻，五名成人和两名儿童死于塞斯纳C550飞机上。
“这场悲剧让我们所有的家庭伤心欲绝，”比夫勒、格罗苏、达顿和伦德斯的家人在一份声明中说。
“格雷格和克里斯蒂娜是尽职的父母和积极的慈善家，他们的生活围绕着他们的小儿子赖德和格雷格的女儿艾玛，”声明说。“艾玛是一个非常好的人，有着善良的灵魂，受到很多人的喜爱。赖德是个活跃、好奇、快乐无比的孩子。
“丹尼斯·达顿和他的儿子杰克也被深深地爱着，所有认识他们的人都感受到了他们的损失，”声明继续说道。"克雷格·沃兹沃斯受到了纳斯卡界许多人的爱戴，认识他的人也会怀念他。"
纳斯卡在一份声明中说，它“对格雷格·比夫勒、他的妻子克里斯蒂娜、女儿艾玛、儿子赖德、克雷格·沃兹沃斯、丹尼斯和杰克·达顿的悲惨去世感到震惊。”
“格雷格不仅仅是一名冠军车手，他是纳斯卡社区的一名受爱戴的成员，一名激烈的竞争者，也是许多人的朋友，”纳斯卡说。“他对赛车的热情、正直以及对车迷和其他参赛者的承诺对这项运动产生了持久的影响。”
“来自斯泰茨维尔的令人心碎的消息，”北卡罗来纳州州长乔希·斯坦在社交媒体上写道。“除了作为一名成功的纳斯卡车手，格雷格·比夫勒一生充满勇气和同情心，在海伦飓风后，他来到了北卡罗莱纳州西部。我对所有在这场悲剧中失去亲人的人深表同情。”
位于夏洛特以北约50英里的斯泰茨维尔机场经理约翰·弗格森说，飞机失事的原因还不清楚。
弗格森说，机场关闭等待进一步通知，并指出将碎片从跑道上清除需要时间。美国联邦航空管理局和国家运输安全委员会正在调查。
Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his family dead in small plane crash in North Carolina: Officials
Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and members of his family died when a small plane crashed and caught fire during landing at the Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina on Thursday, according to the family and officials.
The North Carolina Highway Patrol said it is awaiting confirmation from the medical examiner, but "it is believed that Mr. Gregory Biffle and members of his immediate family were occupants of the airplane."
Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell told ABC News five adults and two children died on the Cessna C550.
"This tragedy has left all of our families heartbroken beyond words," the Biffle, Grossu, Dutton and Lunders families said in a statement.
"Greg and Cristine were devoted parents and active philanthropists whose lives were centered around their young son Ryder and Greg’s daughter Emma," the statement said. "Emma was a wonderful human being with a kind soul who was loved by many people. Ryder was an active, curious and infinitely joyful child."
"Dennis Dutton and his son Jack were deeply loved as well, and their loss is felt by all who knew them," the statement continued. "Craig Wadsworth was beloved by many in the NASCAR community and will be missed by those who knew him."
NASCAR said in a statement that it is "devastated by the tragic loss of Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, son Ryder, Craig Wadsworth and Dennis and Jack Dutton."
"Greg was more than a champion driver, he was a beloved member of the NASCAR community, a fierce competitor, and a friend to so many," NASCAR said. "His passion for racing, his integrity, and his commitment to fans and fellow competitors alike made a lasting impact on the sport."
"Heartbreaking news out of Statesville," North Carolina Gov. Josh Steinwrote on social media. "Beyond his success as a NASCAR driver, Greg Biffle lived a life of courage and compassion and stepped up for western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene. My heart goes out to all those who lost a loved one in this tragic crash."
The cause of the crash is not known, said John Ferguson, manager of the airport in Statesville, about 50 miles north of Charlotte.
The airport is closed for further notice, Ferguson said, noting that it will take time to get the debris off the runway. The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.
