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A small private jet crashed shortly after takeoff in Statesville, North Carolina, resulting in multiple fatalities on Thursday (December 18). The incident occurred around 10:15 a.m., according to Iredell County Chief Deputy Bill Hamby. The exact number of casualties has not been confirmed yet.
The aircraft involved in the crash was a Cessna C550, which went down while attempting to land at the Statesville Regional Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will conduct a thorough investigation, with the NTSB taking the lead in providing updates on the situation. Statesville, located 40 miles north of Charlotte, is home to the Statesville Regional Airport, which serves as a corporate aviation hub for Fortune 500 companies and several NASCAR teams.
According to WSOC, the aircraft was owned by NASCAR driver Greg Biffle. The Daily Mail reported that Biffle, his wife, and two children were killed in the crash.
The crash has prompted a response from local authorities and emergency services, who are currently on the scene. As this is a developing story, more information will be made available as the investigation progresses.