Greg Biffle's estate is facing $30 million in wrongful death lawsuits related to a December 2025 plane crash that killed seven people. The lawsuits allege improper maintenance and lack of a qualified crew member on the aircraft.
Key points
Greg Biffle's estate faces $30 million in lawsuits
Two wrongful death lawsuits filed by pilots' estates
Allegations include improper aircraft maintenance
NTSB is investigating the crash's technical issues
Seven people died in the December 2025 crash
Mentioned in this story
Greg BiffleDennis DuttonJack Dutton
Greg Biffle in 2022Credit: Sean Gardner/Getty
Greg Biffle in 2022
Credit: Sean Gardner/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
The estate of late NASCAR driver Greg Biffle is facing two wrongful death lawsuits seeking a combined $30 million over the December 2025 plane crash that killed seven people
The lawsuits, filed by the estates of late pilots Dennis and Jack Dutton, allege the aircraft was not properly maintained and lacked a qualified crew member
Investigators with the NTSB previously said the plane experienced technical issues before crashing, and the cause remains under investigation
The estate of late NASCAR driver Greg Biffle is facing two new wrongful death lawsuits seeking a combined $30 million in connection with the fatal December 2025 plane crash that killed seven people.
The wrongful death lawsuits were filed by the estates of father and son Dennis and Jack Dutton, the two pilots flying the plane during the fatal North Carolina crash, and each seeks $15 million, according to The Athletic, ESPN and The Charlotte Observer.
Greg Biffle in 2022Credit: Jared Tilton/SRX/Getty
Q&A
What are the details of the wrongful death lawsuits against Greg Biffle's estate?
The lawsuits seek a combined $30 million and are filed by the estates of pilots Dennis and Jack Dutton, alleging improper maintenance and crew qualifications.
What caused the plane crash involving Greg Biffle?
The NTSB reported that the plane experienced technical issues before crashing, but the exact cause is still under investigation.
How many people died in the plane crash linked to Greg Biffle?
Seven people were killed in the December 2025 plane crash involving Greg Biffle.
Related Articles
MMA·Preview
UFC 328 commentary team: Joe Rogan on call for Chimaev vs. Strickland
Joe Rogan to Commentate UFC 328: Chimaev vs. Strickland
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Paul McGinley has one big concern about Cameron Young ahead of the PGA Championship
Yahoo Sports·
Sports
Diniz calls ref a fraud and more controversy in Mirassol v Corinthians
Yahoo Sports·
Sports
Browns' Todd Monken offers superb perspective of QB battle
Yahoo Sports·
Sports
Texas A&M HC Michael Earley and players speak after win over Auburn
Yahoo Sports·
Sports
Yankees officially option shortstop Anthony Volpe to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
Yankees option shortstop Anthony Volpe to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Greg Biffle in 2022
Credit: Jared Tilton/SRX/Getty
The complaints were filed in Iredell County Superior Court on April 17, per The Charlotte Observer.
They claim that Biffle — the sole owner of the Cessna Citation 550 that crashed on Dec. 18, 2025 — failed “to maintain the aircraft in an airworthy condition,” per the outlet.
The complaints also allege that Biffle failed to properly maintain and inspect the plane, per The Charlotte Observer.
Additionally, the complaints claim that Biffle did not ensure that the plane had sufficient crew at the time of the fatal flight, as the younger Dutton, while a licensed pilot, “was not qualified to perform second-in-command duties” on that particular aircraft, per The Athletic.
PEOPLE reached out to legal counsel for both the Biffle and Dutton estates, but did not receive an immediate response.
Biffle, who was 55 at the time of his death, was heading to Florida for a birthday celebration with his family when the small plane he was traveling in crashed while attempting to land at Statesville Regional Airport in Statesville, N.C., at around 10:15 a.m. local time.
Also on board were Biffle's wife, Cristina, 35, his daughter Emma, 14, and son Ryder, 5, along with family friend Craig Wadsworth and the two pilots.
Greg Biffle with wife Cristina and their two children in February 2022Credit: Cristina Grossu Biffle/Instagram
Greg Biffle with wife Cristina and their two children in February 2022
Credit: Cristina Grossu Biffle/Instagram
An initial report on the incident from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that the plane experienced technical difficulties after takeoff. The pilots attempted to return to the airport, but the plane crashed on the runway. The aircraft was subsequently engulfed in flames.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The NTSB is currently investigating the cause of the crash, per The Athletic.
The NTSB did not immediately return PEOPLE's request for comment regarding updates on the investigation.