Aviation Accidents in Motorsports: History and Risks

The recent plane crash on December 18, 2025, involving retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle has once again highlighted the risks associated with private aviation in the motorsports community.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Biffle, 55, his wife Cristina Grossu Biffle, their children Emma (14) and Ryder (5), and three others — Craig Wadsworth, Dennis Dutton, and Jack Dutton — were killed when their Cessna C550 crashed shortly after takeoff from Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina. The incident occurred amid adverse weather conditions, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating. The plane crashed just short of the runway. It is not known who was flying at this time.

Aviation tragedies have unfortunately claimed numerous lives across various motorsports series, from NASCAR to open-wheel racing like IndyCar/USAC and Formula 1. Private aircraft are commonly used for travel between events, contributing to these risks. Below is a factual list of notable motorsports personnel (drivers, officials, team members, family, and others) killed in plane crashes:

– Greg Biffle (retired NASCAR driver), Cristina Grossu Biffle (wife), Emma Biffle (daughter), Ryder Biffle (son), Craig Wadsworth (NASCAR community member), Dennis Dutton, and Jack Dutton — December 18, 2025, Statesville, North Carolina (7 fatalities).

– Alan Kulwicki (1992 NASCAR Cup Series champion) — April 1, 1993, near Bristol, Tennessee (plane crash attributed to pilot inexperience; 4 fatalities total).

– Davey Allison (NASCAR driver, son of Bobby Allison) — July 12, 1993, near Birmingham, Alabama (helicopter crash during landing; Allison died at age 32).

– Ricky Hendrick (NASCAR driver and son of team owner Rick Hendrick), John Hendrick (Hendrick Motorsports president), Kimberly and Jennifer Hendrick (nieces), Randy Dorton (engine builder), Jeff Turner (team executive), Joe Jackson (DuPont executive), Elizabeth Morrison and Richard Tracey (pilots), and Scott Latham (pilot for Tony Stewart) — October 24, 2004, near Martinsville, Virginia (Hendrick Motorsports plane crash in fog; 10 fatalities).

– Mike Stefanik (9-time NASCAR Modified champion) — September 16, 2017, Sterling, Connecticut (ultralight plane crash; Stefanik and pilot killed).

– Ted Christopher (NASCAR Whelen Modified champion) — September 16, 2017, near Riverhead Raceway, New York (plane crash en route to a race; Christopher and pilot killed).

– USAC officials and pilot — April 23, 1978, near Arlington, Indiana (Piper Navajo Chieftain crash in thunderstorm after Gabriel 200 race at Trenton Speedway, New Jersey; 9 fatalities): Frank DelRoy (USAC Technical Director), Ray Marquette (USAC VP of Public Affairs), Stan Worley (USAC Registrar), Shim Malone (Midget Supervisor and Flagman), Don Peabody (Sprint Car Supervisor), Judy Phillips (USAC Public Relations), Ross Teeguarden (USAC Deputy Technical Director), Dr. Bruce White (USAC Physician), and pilot Don Mullendore.

– Graham Hill (1962 and 1968 Formula 1 World Champion, Embassy Hill team owner) — November 29, 1975, near Arkley, England (Piper Aztec crash during approach to Elstree Airfield; 6 fatalities including driver Tony Brise and team members).

– David Purley (Formula 1 driver) — July 2, 1985, off Bognor Regis, England (aerobatic plane crash; Purley killed).

Near Misses

While these incidents represent the tragic losses, motorsports has also seen several high-profile near misses and survivable crashes:

– David Coulthard (Formula 1 driver) — May 2, 2000, near Lyon, France (Learjet 35 crash during emergency landing after engine failure; both pilots killed, but Coulthard and two passengers survived with minor injuries; he raced and finished second at the Spanish Grand Prix days later).

– Jack Roush (NASCAR team owner) — April 19, 2002, near Troy, Alabama (small plane hit power lines and crashed into a lake; Roush was rescued from underwater wreckage by a bystander and survived serious injuries; he was involved in another survivable crash in 2010).

– Dale Earnhardt Jr. (NASCAR driver) — August 15, 2019, near Elizabeth City, North Carolina (private plane crash-landed after engine failure; Earnhardt Jr., his wife, daughter, and two others escaped safely before the plane caught fire).

– Greg Biffle (NASCAR driver) — March 2011, Blue Grass Airport, Kentucky (plane incident; Biffle survived).

Other incidents include the 2008 crash that killed the husband of NASCAR executive Lesa France Kennedy (along with NASCAR pilot Michael Klemm and others) and various non-fatal close calls. In Formula 1, David Coulthard survived a 2000 plane crash that killed both pilots, and in IMSA, some figures have been involved in aviation incidents, though fewer high-profile fatalities are recorded compared to NASCAR and USAC.

These events underscore the dangers of private air travel, often used for quick trips between race venues. While investigations into causes vary — from weather and pilot error to mechanical issues — they have prompted ongoing safety discussions in the industry. The motorsports community continues to mourn these losses and honors those affected.