Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group.&nbsp;He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion,&nbsp;the&nbsp;student newspaper at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, serving as editor-in-chief before graduating with a bachelor's in aeronautical science. After a stint as managing editor at Professional Pilot&nbsp;magazine, he joined&nbsp;AIN in late 1998. Chad holds a commercial pilot certificated with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and he also is a CFI/CFII. He lives and works from his home in Venice, Florida.

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Amy Wilder

Chad Trautvetter

A possible investigative focus in the Citation II that crashed yesterday morning in North Carolina—killing seven, including former Nascar driver Greg Biffle, members of his family, and three others—could be whether a required rated second in command (SIC) was on board. According to FAA airman records, pilot Dennis Dutton held a CE-500 type rating covering the Citation II, but it carried a limitation requiring a rated second in command (SIC).
Current FAA airman records do not show anyone else on board holding such an SIC rating, including three other pilot-rated passengers: Dutton’s son, Jack; Biffle; and Craig Wadsworth. However, a Part 91 SIC rating requires only ground school, three&nbsp;takeoffs&nbsp;and&nbsp;landings in type, and a signed logbook entry.
All seven on board were killed when their&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-12-18/citation-ii-accident-statesville-airport-kills-six">Cessna 550 Citation II crashed</a> while landing yesterday morning at Statesville Regional Airport (KSVH) in North Carolina, according to updated information from the FAA and the NTSB. Local authorities and family statements confirmed that Biffle, his wife Cristina Biffle, their five-year-old son Ryder, and Biffle’s 14-year-old daughter Emma were among those killed.
An FAA <a href="https://www.asias.faa.gov/apex/f?p=100:95:::NO::P95_EVENT_LCL_DATE,P95_LOC_CITY_NAME,P95_REGIST_NBR:18-DEC-25,STATESVILLE,N257BW">preliminary report</a>&nbsp;said the aircraft, registered N257BW and operated under Part 91, crashed “under unknown circumstances and post-crash fire” during the landing. The agency listed further said the airplane was destroyed.
In a statement, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Pages/WPR26MA063.aspx">NTSB said</a> the Citation II crashed on return to land following departure from KSVH. Safety Board investigators departed Washington Dulles Airport last evening to begin on-site work. Among the 16 people in its on-site team are those with expertise in aircraft systems, recorders, powerplants, drones, and family assistance. “The NTSB is leading the investigation of the crash,” the agency said, adding that an initial media briefing is expected today.
NTSB investigators will document the wreckage, collect evidence, and interview witnesses. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, with a final report and probable cause determination anticipated in 12 to 24 months.

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