NTSB says pilot not yet identified in North Carolina crash that killed Greg Biffle and his family

STATESVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA: Authorities confirmed on Friday, December 19, that they have yet to identify the person who was at the controls during the North Carolina plane crash that killed former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife, Cristina Grossu Biffle, and two of his children. 

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently scrutinizing the flight credentials of three pilots who were on board the Cessna C550 to establish who was flying the plane when it crashed.

NTSB trying to verify pilot's identity among three licensed occupants

At a press conference, NTSB official Michael Graham addressed the media about the preliminary findings of the investigation covering the crash that occurred on Thursday, claiming the lives of the seven people on board the flight scheduled for the Bahamas.

Graham stated, "At this time, we have been unable to verify who was flying the airplane." 

"We do know three of the occupants did possess a pilot's license, but we have been unable to verify that at this time, but that's one of the things we're working on," he added. 

The Cessna C550 was owned by Greg Biffle

The plane belonged to GB Aviation Leasing LLC, which was owned by Greg Biffle himself.

While the former NASCAR driver was rated to fly helicopters, single and multi-engine planes, his exact rating is an aspect that catches the attention of the investigators.

He received certification to fly a multi-engine plane in March of this year, according to NBC affiliate WCNC, but his license would not have allowed him to be the sole pilot.

The other licensed people listed in the manifest included commercial airline pilot Dennis Dutton and his son Jack Dutton, who was a student at Auburn University and had just obtained his single-engine license.

In the carousel of images below, Jack is seen in happier times with his father, Dennis.

NTSB is looking into witness reports and weather conditions

In the agency's first full day of being on scene, Graham shared that the team is currently talking to witnesses of the accident.

Several people reported that the aircraft appeared to be flying at an unusually low altitude just before the crash.

"We do have witnesses that said the aircraft came in very low," Graham said. 

The flight lasted only 10 minutes before the plane crashed just short of the runway while attempting to return to the airport. 

Meanwhile, NTSB is also investigating the possibility of weather being a contributing factor in the plane crash.

"It was visual flight rules," Graham said about the flying conditions, "but there were low ceilings out there and there was heavy drizzle at the time. So that is one of the three things that we really mainly look at.”

He added, “We look at the people operating the aircraft, we look at the aircraft itself and then we look at the environment, and the weather is one of those we look at and will look at very closely."

Plane’s black box recovered from crash scene

The plane’s black box has been retrieved from the crash scene and is headed towards Washington, DC, where it will be analyzed to provide more clarity on the final moments of the flight.

Graham said a preliminary report would be released in 30 days and a full investigation could take anywhere between 12-18 months before a final report is released.