Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife and two children were among seven people killed Thursday when a small jet crashed while landing at Statesville Regional Airport, police said.
The Cessna C550 went down around 10:20 a.m. Eastern Time and burst into flames, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Flight‑tracking data showed the plane had taken off from the airport minutes earlier before attempting to return.
Video from the scene showed wreckage burning on the runway as emergency crews rushed in.
Airport manager John Ferguson said the facility is closed until debris is cleared.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board said they have opened an investigation.