The wife of retired NASCAR champion Greg Biffle shared a poignant message about life and success just minutes before a tragic plane crash that reportedly killed her, her husband, their children, and several others.
Cristina Grossu Biffle reposted an Instagram story reflecting on achieving goals later in life, shortly before the small jet she was traveling on crashed in North Carolina on Thursday morning.
Final Instagram Story Shared Before Tragedy
At around 10 a.m., approximately 15 minutes before the crash, Grossu shared a post originally published by the BossBabe account. The message highlighted Martha Stewart’s rise to success later in adulthood.
The post read: “At 30, Martha Stewart hadn’t started a business. At 35, she launched her catering company. At 58, she became a billionaire.”
The caption added: “These stories are your reminder that you’re not behind… you’re right on time.”
Credit: @cristinagbiffle/Instagram.
Shortly after the post went live, Grossu, Biffle, and their two children were reportedly killed when their plane went down.
Details of the Plane Crash
The family was traveling aboard a Cessna C550 that departed from Statesville Regional Airport, located about an hour north of Charlotte, North Carolina. According to FlightAware data, the aircraft was headed toward Sarasota, Florida.
Flight tracking shows the plane took off shortly after 10 a.m., remained airborne for only a few minutes, and then began flying erratically in a figure-eight pattern before attempting to return to the airport, BBC News details.
The jet ultimately crashed while landing at approximately 10:15 a.m. and erupted into flames on the tarmac.
Victims Aboard the Aircraft
Along with Greg Biffle and Cristina Grossu Biffle, the crash claimed the lives of their children, Emma and Ryder. Also killed were Craig Wadsworth and Dennis and Jack Dutton.
Public records indicate the aircraft was registered to GB Aviation Leasing and owned by Biffle.
Officials initially confirmed that six people had died but did not immediately release names. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident.
Community Tributes
Family friend and YouTuber Cleetus McFarland later confirmed the identities of the victims in a Facebook post.
“Unfortunately, I can confirm Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, and son Ryder were on that plane because they were on their way to spend the afternoon with us,” he wrote.
Greg and Cristina Biffle with their kids. Credit: Greg Biffle/Instagram
Representative Richard Hudson also shared a tribute, noting the family’s commitment to helping others. He said Grossu had recently reached out to ask how their family could assist with disaster relief efforts.
Biffle, a licensed pilot, was known for using his aircraft to assist communities affected by natural disasters, including hurricane relief missions in Florida last year.
The investigation into the crash remains ongoing.