Retired NASCAR star Greg Biffle alongside wife Cristina Grossu Biffle, daughter Emma, son Ryder and three others were killed in an aviation crash on Thursday morning at Statesville Regional Airport north of Charlotte, North Carolina.

First Sergeant Chris Knox of the North Carolina Highway Patrol first confirmed the death of the Biffle family and added it was ‘one of the worst crashes’ he had ever seen.

“We can tell you at this point that seven confirmed occupants on the aircraft are deceased,” Knox said “… The only person we can confirm is a Mr. Greg Biffle was one of those seven deceased occupants.”

However, he also later said the victims ‘include Mr. Greg Biffle and his immediate family,’ which would be confirmed shortly thereafter.

Garrett Mitchell, better known as YouTuber Cleetus McFarland, first stated on his social media channels that the Biffle family was on board the plane and died in the incident.

“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. We are devastated. I’m so sorry to share this.”

Biffle and Mitchell had become close friends over the past five years, bonding over natural disaster relief efforts, and the latter’s efforts to become a NASCAR driver himself with sporadic ARCA starts at Daytona, Talladega and Bristol.

A joint statement was issued by the Biffle, Grossu, Dutton and Lunders families confirming those lost in the incident:

“We are devastated by the loss of our loved ones. This tragedy has left all our families heartbroken beyond words. Greg and Cristina were devoted parents and active philanthropists whose lives were centered around their young son Ryder and Greg’s daughter Emma (mother – Nicole Lunders). Emma was a wonderful human being with a kind soul who was loved by many people. Ryder was an active, curious and infinitely joyful child.

“Dennis Dutton and his son Jack were deeply loved as well, and their loss is felt by all who knew them. Craig Wadsworth was beloved by many in the NASCAR community and will be missed by those who knew him. Each of them meant everything to us, and their absence leaves an immeasurable void in our lives.

“We ask for privacy, compassion and understanding as we grieve and begin to process this unimaginable loss. We are gratefyl or the kindness and support that has been extended to our families during this incredibly difficult time. At this moment, our focus is on honoring their lives and supporting one another.”

NASCAR also released a statement on Thursday.

“NASCAR is devastated by the tragic loss of Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, son Ryder, Craig Wadsworth and Dennis and Jack Dutton in a fatal plane crash.

“Greg was more than a champion driver, he was a beloved member of the NASCAR community, a fierce competitor, and a friend to so many. His passion for racing, his integrity, and his commitment to fans and fellow competitors alike made a lasting impact on the sport.

“On the track, Greg’s talent and tenacity earned him championships in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, as well as numerous wins and accolades in the NASCAR Cup Series. Beyond his racing career, he gave of himself for the betterment of our community. Most notably, Greg spent countless hours of his time helping the citizens of North Carolina during the disasters that followed Hurricane Helene. His tireless work saved lives. Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Greg’s entire family, friends, and all who were touched by his life.”

Biffle spent the entirety of his full-time NASCAR career with Roush Racing, now known as RFK Racing, which also issued a statement mourning the loss.

The incident occurred at 10:15 a.m. at the airport located 45 miles north of Charlotte, North Carolina, one of the regional facilities used by a plurality of organizations and individuals within the industry.

Flight tracking data shows the jet departed Statesville at approximately 10:06 a.m. and reached a maximum altitude of 4,300 feet by 10:08 a.m. but began to descend a mile from where it departed.

By time it reached 11 miles from the airport, the plane turned around and made an attempt to return to Statesville Regional. The final data point, which came at 10:15 showed the plane less than a half mile from the airport, in line with its runway and near the Lakewood Golf Club at arout 800 feet and 95 knots (109 mph).

It crashed at the east end of the runway.

Immediately overseeing the incident was the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office but in the hours since the crash, they have been joined on-site by the Federal Aviation Administration and the North Carolina State Patrol. A brief press conference was held shortly after noon with airport manager John Ferguson sharing what little he could at the time.

“Like we said, at approximately 10:15 a.m., we got a report of a jet that crashed off the end of the runway on the east end. By time I came out, it was fully engulfed. We’ve had multiple agencies that have come. The FAA arrived at about 12 o’clock today.

“They are taking over the scene and the investigation. We have no information on the cause. The airport is closed until further notice. It will take time to get the debris off the runway.”

Dan DePodwin, AccuWeather Vice President of Forecasting Operations issued a statement about weather conditions at the time of the incident.  

“Adverse weather conditions were reported in the vicinity of Statesville Regional Airport around the time of the plane crash,” DePodwin said. “Heavy drizzle and a cloud ceiling near 1,200 feet were reported at 10:15 a.m. The cloud ceiling had reportedly lowered to around 400 feet, with heavy rain reducing visibility to less than 2 miles at 10:30 a.m. Weather conditions are often a critical factor that investigators carefully review after a plane crash. It may take months to a year or longer for investigators to determine if the weather conditions contributed to the crash.”

The plane was quickly identified in the moments after the crash as a Cessna C550 with the tail number N257BW, which is owned by Biffle’s GB Aviation Leasing, LLC.

Biffle was the 2002 NASCAR Busch Series champion, the 2000 Craftsman Truck Series champion and was named as one of the sport’s 75 greatest drivers in 2023 due to his 19 wins at the highest level from 2002 through sporadic starts this decade.

In recent years, Biffle became known for philanthropy centering on animal welfare through his Greg Biffle Foundation and his relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in 2024. Biffle is a registered pilot and used his helicopter to take supplies to Western North Carolina in the aftermath of the devastating storm.

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Former NASCAR driver and oral health advocate Greg Biffle died along with his wife, daughter, son and 3 other passengers in a December 18, 2025, plane crash in Stateville, N.C.

Biffle, who was 55, raced in the NASCAR Cup Series over 15 seasons between 2002 and 2022, winning 19 races and finishing in the top 10 a total of 175 times. For many of those seasons, 3M served as the primary sponsor of his number 16 car. Starting in 2011 his car also featured sponsorship from the ADA Foundation’s Give Kids A Smile program along with 3M ESPE Dental and Henry Schein Cares.

“Greg Biffle wasn’t only a champion on the racetrack. He was a champion for children’s oral health and a true humanitarian who impacted countless lives. We extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the Biffle family and all who lost their lives in this tragic accident,” said ADA President Richard Rosato, D.M.D.

Biffle’s partnership with GKAS extended beyond his car, as GKAS held events in conjunction with NASCAR multiple races to provide oral health education to children. Biffle made appearances at these events and starred in a 2011 public service announcement for GKAS. Additionally, diecast models of the number 16 car featuring the GKAS sponsorship on the hood were created as a GKAS fundraiser. Along with his work with GKAS, Biffle contributed to other charitable endeavors and he was widely praised for his efforts leading disaster relief in western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene in 2024

“When the ADA and ADA Foundation worked with Greg Biffle, he was a new dad learning about the impact of dental disease on children. Because of this personal connection and his generous spirit, he made a true impact on kids and families as he encouraged them to take good care of their oral health,” said Rita M. Cammarata, D.D.S., ADA Foundation Chair and ADA Board of Trustees Member. “Whether filming a dental health public service announcement or signing autographs for the children at Give Kids A Smile® oral health education events, Greg always went the extra mile. The ADA and ADA Foundation will always be grateful to Greg for giving so many kids a reason to smile during our time together.” 

Biffle’s last first place finish in the NASCAR Cup Series was at the Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 16, 2013, with the GKAS logo on the hood of his car.

The ADA and ADA Foundation send condolences to Biffle’s family and loved ones and the families and loved ones of the other people killed in the December 18 crash.

Celebrating your own 50th birthday is really not much fun; for me it was a black-and-white realization that I’m officially older than dirt. Of course, I really wasn’t that old—but I only realized that when I turned 60.

It’s a completely different story when a company turns 50, and on March 14, 2025, BMW of North America reached that half-century milestone. As an employee, it is an honor to help a company celebrate one of its big anniversaries (25, 50, 75, 100 years old, etc.). I’ve been lucky enough to have been around for BMW NA’s 25th birthday (and still have the engraved Fossil watch to prove it). I led the planning and execution of the 100th anniversary of BMW during Monterey Car Week 2016, and now I’m part of the planning-and-execution team for the 50th anniversary of BMW NA (no Fossil watch this time).

In my role as head of BMW Group Classic USA, I have been working closely with BMW expert and historian Jackie Jouret on a project that we call 50 Stories for 50 Years. The Story of BMW of North America. I hope you have seen these stories. Frankly, this has been a labor of love for both Jackie and me; each week throughout 2025, we publish a chapter both internally to BMW NA associates and to the public. You can find all the stories published here.

Earlier this year, we competed in the 2025 running of the 12 Hours of Sebring. If you are not a race fan (I can’t imagine a BMW CCA member who isn’t), you may be wondering why Sebring is such a big deal for us. Allow me to explain. While BMW AG was negotiating with Max Hoffman to hand over the business in the U.S., the precursor to BMW NA was established in New York to prepare for the day when the BMW subsidiary would take over the importation, parts, and service for BMW automobiles. During this time, a Madison Avenue ad agency was hired to help promote and develop the BMW brand in the U.S. That agency, Ammirati and Puris, coined the tag line “The Ultimate Driving Machine” that has served BMW perfectly for 50 years.

Prior to March 15, 1975, while Hoffman Motor Corporation was still the official U.S. importer, BMW NA was not allowed to advertise. However, participation in motorsports was not part of the agreement with Hoffman; as a result, BMW Motorsport personnel were dispatched with two BMW 3.0CSLs to compete in IMSA endurance racing.

The team’s first race was the 24 Hours of Daytona in January. By the time the team arrived in Sebring for the second round, the termination contract with Hoffman had been so recently signed, sealed, and delivered that when the #25 BMW 3.0CSL driven by Brian Redman and Allan Moffat took the victory at the 12 Hours of Sebring, BMW of North America was only six days old.

Here we are 50 years later, and this year the 12 Hours of Sebring took place exactly on the birthday of BMW of North America. In celebration, our great friend, racer, enthusiast, and BMW M design chief Michael Scully and his team developed a fantastic new livery for the BMW M Hybrid V8 GTP race cars. We had OG BMW M boss Jochen Neerpasch, driver Brian Redman, and the 3.0CSL on-site to tie it all together and cheer on the current team.

Alas, it was not to be. After the race began with such great promise, it ended in bitter disappointment for the entire team.

BMW has only achieved overall victories twice at Sebring in the past 50 years, in 1975 with the CSL and in 1999 with the mighty V12 LMR (both pictured at top during the Monterey Motorsports Reunion). It would have been great to add 2025 with the BMW M Hybrid V8 to that list, but that’s racing.

Nevertheless, the GTP livery will stay on both cars for the remainder of the season. It is full of easter eggs that I’m sure you will all discover over time. Here is a short design description by Michael Scully: “Our 2025 GTP livery is a timeline-based homage to 50 years of BMW of North America. Starting with BMW North America’s March 15, 1975, inception, we’ve profiled some of our most formative continental milestones in chronological order, beginning at the front of the car and moving through time toward the rear.

“March of 1975 is also when BMW won the 12 hours of Sebring for the first time with the BMW 3.0CSL, and we commemorate that important first market impression by combining the Sebring track map with the M colors, which traverse the entire front half of the car. Other notable race victories and important BMW M-specific North American moments are profiled throughout, with sequential text callouts.

“In side view, the timeline aspect is also stylistic, with the iconic M stripes starting low and parallel at the front in the original M colors of light blue, purple, and red, then evolving to light blue, dark blue, and red in the mid-1990s, and finally breaking into more fractal bold shapes toward the rear.

“Additionally, coinciding with the GTP car’s electrified BMW M hybrid powertrain, the color purple reemerges in the livery, together with blue, as a signifier of the natural colors of electricity—thereby completing BMW M’s journey in North America: from purple and back in the Ultimate Driving Machine!”

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

The NTT IndyCar Series is gearing up for its second season under the FOX Sports umbrella in 2026, and the network isn’t hiding its strategy: piggyback on the massive global audience of the FIFA World Cup to give IndyCar TV a huge exposure boost.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

IndyCar took a similar “coattails” approach in Iowa, where it increased race attendance by bringing big rock concerts with a big following.  That worked, until it didn’t

With the World Cup hosted across North America (USA, Canada, Mexico) and FOX holding the broadcast rights, the series has strategically timed several races to follow or precede major soccer matches. This “coattails” approach could introduce IndyCar to millions of casual viewers who might otherwise never tune in.

All 17 races will air live on FOX network television, continuing the series’ unique status as North America’s only premier motorsport with full network coverage. This follows a strong 2025 debut for the FOX partnership, with a 27% year-over-year audience increase—the biggest growth in sports.

Key World Cup TV Tie-Ins

– June 21: The XPEL Grand Prix at Road America starts at 2:00 p.m. ET, immediately after the World Cup opening match.
– July 5: The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio begins at 12:30 p.m. ET, with a World Cup Round of 16 match following on FOX.
– July 19: The Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix at Nashville Superspeedway (now a mid-season oval thriller) follows the World Cup Final, with exact start time to be announced later. This promises a massive lead-in audience from soccer’s biggest game.

These alignments position IndyCar as part of FOX’s broader global sports portfolio, rather than just a U.S.-centric niche.

Full 2026 TV Broadcast Schedule (All Times ET, Subject to Change)

– March 1: Streets of St. Petersburg – 12:00 p.m.
– March 7: Phoenix Raceway – 3:00 p.m.
– March 15: Streets of Arlington – 12:30 p.m.
– March 29: Barber Motorsports Park – 1:00 p.m.
– April 19: Streets of Long Beach – 5:30 p.m.
– May 9: IMS Road Course – 4:30 p.m.
– May 24: Indianapolis 500 – 10:00 a.m. (6-hour coverage)
– May 31: Streets of Detroit – 12:30 p.m.
– June 7: World Wide Technology Raceway – 9:00 p.m.
– June 21: Road America – 2:00 p.m. (post-World Cup opener)
– July 5: Mid-Ohio – 12:30 p.m. (pre-World Cup Round of 16)
– July 19: Nashville Superspeedway – TBA (post-World Cup Final)
– August 9: Portland – 4:00 p.m.
– August 16: Streets of Markham (Canada) – 12:00 p.m.
– August 29-30: Milwaukee Mile Doubleheader – 2:30 p.m. / 1:00 p.m.
– September 6: Laguna Seca (season finale) – 2:30 p.m.

The season kicks off with a bang in March, including new venues like Arlington (near the Cowboys’ and Rangers’ stadiums) and a return to Phoenix as part of a NASCAR weekend. It wraps up on Labor Day weekend at Laguna Seca.

Drivers like Kyle Kirkwood (Andretti Global) have already embraced the setup: “Having the 2026 IndyCar schedule share the stage with FOX’s coverage of the World Cup next summer is going to be exciting.”

This isn’t just about convenience—it’s a calculated play to expand IndyCar’s reach. By hitching a ride on soccer’s biggest event, FOX hopes to turn World Cup viewers into IndyCar fans. Whether it pays off in sustained growth remains to be seen, but the ambition is clear because, on its own, IndyCar struggles to draw a big audience.

Related Article: IndyCar News: FOX Sports, INDYCAR Unveil 2026 broadcast times

Speedway Motorsports officials, in recognition of exemplary performance and exceptional service on behalf of and its world-class facilities, recognized the 2025 recipients for the company’s O. Bruton Smith Award, Promoter of the Year, Speedway of the Year and the Acceleration Award. Announcements were made during a company-wide town hall meeting this week as the industry-leading company wraps up a successful year hosting entertainment and motorsports events across the country.

Dover Motor Speedway’s Jim Hosfelt earned the 2025 O. Bruton Smith Award, while Bristol Motor Speedway President and General Manager Jerry Caldwell received Promoter of the Year honors. Las Vegas Motor Speedway was named Speedway of the Year award and Sonoma Raceway earned the fourth annual Acceleration Award.

“At Speedway Motorsports, our goal is to exceed expectations in sports and entertainment by delivering unforgettable moments at every touchpoint,” said Marcus Smith, president and CEO of Speedway Motorsports. “That mission is only possible because of the passion, dedication and effort our teams across the country bring to their work each day. It’s a privilege to celebrate the leaders and teammates across our footprint whose commitment fuels our momentum and helps transform every event into a truly remarkable experience for our fans.”

Bruton Smith Award

Dover Motor Speedway Vice President of Safety and Security, Jim Hosfelt, received the 2025 O. Bruton Smith Award.

Established 13 years ago to recognize one employee annually across all of Speedway Motorsports and its subsidiaries, the recipient of this prestigious award is someone who exhibits Speedway Motorsports’ founder O. Bruton Smith’s traits: character, enthusiasm, drive, a heart for helping others, respect and appreciation for team members, vision and determination. It is the company’s highest honor.

Hosfelt joined Dover Motor Speedway in 2014 to oversee the day-to-day security and event-time public safety at the facility. Shortly after Speedway Motorsports acquired Dover in 2021, Hosfelt added the title of Director of Safety and Security for Speedway Motorsports, working as a liaison for NASCAR and federal agencies at events across the company’s portfolio of properties.

Prior to his speedway tenure, the Cumberland, Md. native spent 25 years in law enforcement with the Dover Police Department, where he retired as Chief of Police.

Away from the track, Hosfelt serves as a coordinator for food distribution events conducted by the speedway with the Food Bank of Delaware. An Air Force veteran and graduate of the FBI National Academy, he was elected to seats on Dover City Council (2015-2017) and Kent County Levy Court (2017-2019).

“The contributions Jim makes, the relationships he has across the sport, thankfully it’s a low profile thing, but (public safety) is one of the most important things we do,” said Speedway Motorsports Chief Operating Officer Mike Burch. “We talk about ‘safe, clean and comfortable.’ He’s invaluable to making sure our fans from across the nation are safe when they come to our race tracks.”

“When we finished the transaction to acquire Dover Motorsports, we had no idea what an amazing fit our teams would be,” Smith added. “Jim, specifically, is just remarkable – how he is able to be everywhere and always deliver so professionally. It’s really impressive and he’s made a tremendous impact on our company.”

H.A. Humpy Wheeler Promoter of the Year

Recognized for his team’s effort around the Speedway Classic partnership with Major League Baseball and continued success in NASCAR and other secondary events, Bristol Motor Speedway President and General Manager Jerry Caldwell was named H.A. Humpy Wheeler Promoter of the Year for 2025. The annual award, named in honor of the legendary promoter who passed away in August, is chosen by the selection committee and given to the Speedway Motorsports general manager who best displayed the creativity, innovation, leadership and execution that are fundamental to Speedway Motorsports’ way of doing business.

A first-of-its-kind event in baseball, the Speedway Classic saw the highest ticket sales for a single event in the history of Major League Baseball with over 91,000 tickets sold.

“Humpy was known as the PT Barnum of motorsports,” Smith said. “He inspired a lot of people to think outside the box. To name Jerry as this year’s promoter is very fitting as he’s done a great job in leading the team to phenomenal success this year. Bristol has a reputation where people aren’t going to question if something like building a baseball stadium inside a race track can happen – they know it can.”

Speedway of the Year

Las Vegas Motor Speedway received Speedway of the Year recognition, edging out 10 state-of-the-art Speedway Motorsports entertainment complexes to earn top honors 11 of the last 14 years. The award was presented to LVMS President Patrick Lindsay, who replaced the facility’s longtime head Chris Powell upon his retirement earlier this year. The award recognizes the Speedway Motorsports facility with the best overall performance during 2025 in such aspects as fan friendliness, attendance, financial performance, sponsor relations and creativity.

“It’s not easy to grow on an already fantastic performance,” Smith said. “Patrick has carried the torch well and it’s great to have his leadership. It’s a huge effort because everything that happens — from corporate sales to operations and logistics — this team has done a great job and delivered every time.”

Acceleration Award

For the second year in a row, Sonoma Raceway was honored with the Acceleration Award, which recognizes a Speedway Motorsports subsidiary for significant year-over-year gains across multiple performance measures. The award was accepted by Sonoma Raceway Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Flynn.

Sonoma Raceway delivered a strong performance in 2025, driven by growing track rental activity in the raceway’s premium Turn 11 facility, along with strategic cost-efficiency initiatives that enhanced operations across the property while maintaining a high-quality fan experience.

“We had multiple speedways that made significant improvements, but we had one that really outdid themselves year-over-year,” Burch said. “They continue to bolster the fan experience, drive down expenses and find new ways to use the speedway to serve their clients.”

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(CNN) — Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina and his two children died after a small private jet crashed shortly after takeoff in North Carolina on Thursday, in a disaster which killed a total of seven people.

Biffle, who is considered one of NASCAR’s 75 greatest drivers with 19 wins, was thought to be taking his family to visit creator and motorsports streamer Garrett Mitchell.

Biffle was a licensed pilot, but it’s not yet clear who was flying the aircraft. According to the Associated Press, the Cessna C550 crashed while trying to return and land at the Statesville Regional Airport, where it had departed shortly before on Thursday morning.

Dennis Dutton and his son Jack, as well as longtime NASCAR community member Craig Wadsworth, were identified as the other passengers, according to a joint statement from the families of those killed.

The tragedy is the latest in a growing number of aviation disasters which have rocked the motorsports community over the years, as well as the world of professional sports as a whole.

Davey Allison

Davey Allison was another NASCAR driver who lost his life during an aviation crash in 1993.

The 1992 Daytona 500 winner and son of racing legend Bobby Allison was piloting a helicopter when it crashed at the Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama.

According to AP, a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report attributed the incident to the pilot’s inexperience, with the moment shocking the entire motorsport community.

Alan Kulwicki

Earlier in the same year, NASCAR’s 1986 Rookie of the Year Alan Kulwicki had died after a small jet he was in crashed on approach to an airport in Tennessee.

Kulwicki died alongside three others, including two sponsorship executives and the pilot. According to AP, the NTSB ruled the pilot had failed to clear the engine inlet of ice.

The Wisconsin native had previously won the 1992 driver’s championship in dramatic style, beating Bill Elliott (who survived an aviation scare) in what was the closest title race in history.

Motorsports history

The motorsport world has since numerous other aviation tragedies.

In 2004, 10 people connected to Hendrick Motorsports were killed when a plane headed for Martinsville Speedway crashed into a mountain due to foggy conditions.

Then in 2019, nine-time NASCAR champion and NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee Mike Stefanik died in a plane crash.

According to Connecticut State Police, an Aerolite 103, single-engine, single-seat plane took off with Stefanik on board from Riconn Airport just over the state line in Rhode Island. Police say the ultralight plane, while turning back toward the airfield, crashed into a wooded area adjacent to the airport in Sterling, Connecticut.

Kobe Bryant

More recently, NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna died in a helicopter crash in 2020.

The crash occurred about 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles and killed all nine people aboard.

The passengers were heading from Orange County to the Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks for a youth basketball game in which Bryant was to coach and Gianna and two others aboard were to play.

Bryant’s death sparked an outpouring of emotional tributes, with his legacy touching all four corners of the world.

Emiliano Sala

In 2019, the soccer world was brought to a halt after the death of Emiliano Sala.

Sala and a pilot were traveling from France to Wales after Welsh club Cardiff City had agreed to sign the striker from French side Nantes. The soccer star had said farewell to his former teammates just before the plane crashed in the English Channel on January 21.

Sala’s body was recovered from the wreckage on February 6, 2019, after a private search for the missing player and the pilot was commissioned by his family.

Roy Halladay

Pitcher Roy Halladay, who won two Cy Young Awards and more than 200 Major League Baseball games during a stellar career, died in a plane crash off the Florida coast in 2017.

Halladay, 40, was the only person on the two-seater plane that crashed just off New Port Richey on the Gulf coast north of the Tampa Bay area.

The single-engine plane, an Icon A5, crashed in very shallow water and was found upside down.

Halladay had done several aerial maneuvers in his plane and had drugs in his system when he lost control and crashed, according to the NTSB.

Halladay pitched parts of 16 seasons in the major leagues, the first 12 with the Toronto Blue Jays. He won the Cy Young for the Blue Jays in 2003, when he went 22-7 with a 3.25 ERA and led the American League with nine complete games. He was elected posthumously to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019.

Payne Stewart

In 1999, one of the world’s most recognizable golfers died when his private plane lost cabin pressure, an incident which killed all four passengers and both pilots.

Stewart was a three-time major winner and was the reigning US Open champion when he died.

The plane eventually crashed in South Dakota but had been flying on auto-pilot for a while with everyone on board either unconscious or already dead, according to AP.

Stewart was 42 at the time, but his legacy still lives on through an annual award presented by the PGA Tour to a golfer who shows the former champion’s spirit.

Roberto Clemente

On New Year’s Eve in 1972, Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Roberto Clemente died after a plane crashed on takeoff from Puerto Rico.

Clemente was bringing emergency aid to Nicaragua after an earthquake had hit the country.

The Baseball Hall of Famer led the Pirates to two World Series titles during an illustrious career, where he was named a 15-time All-Star and the 1966 NL MVP.

According to AP, the plane Clemente was on was poorly maintained and overloaded.

Munich Air disaster

In 1958, a disaster rocked arguably the most famous club in world soccer, Manchester United.

The squad – dubbed the “Busby Babes” – was the back-to-back English champion and well positioned for a hat-trick of titles.

But after United returned home from knocking Red Star Belgrade out of the European Cup, the team’s plane crashed on its third attempt to take off after re-fueling in Germany.

A total of 23 people were killed in the crash, including eight Manchester United players.

The Red Devils went on to rebuild the team, led by survivors including manager Matt Busby and club legend Bobby Charlton. The tragedy is still remembered every year on February 6.

Chapecoense

Brazilian soccer team Chapecoense also suffered a tragedy in 2016 after a plane carrying the team crashed.

Players, coaches and invited guests from the team were on board the charter flight, when it crashed in Rionegro, near Medellín. Seventy-one people were killed and six survived.

Among the victims were around 20 journalists on the way to cover what was supposed to be a heartwarming chapter in a Cinderella story for a team of unlikely champions. The soccer club, which had risen the ranks in Brazilian soccer and has a devoted national fanbase, was set to play in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana finals.

Hundreds of heartbroken fans gathered at Arena Conda in the team’s hometown of Chapeco, Brazil, to mourn their loss.

Figure skaters

Earlier this year, several members of US Figure Skating were killed in midair collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a Black Hawk military helicopter.

No one survived the incident and a total of 28 members of the US figure skating community were killed, including a married pair of skating champions, two young skaters and their mothers.

The multigenerational loss evoked painful memories of the 1961 plane crash that killed 73 people – including all 18 members of the US figure skating team headed to the world figure skating championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia. That disaster killed not just elite athletes but also their coaches, leaving seismic voids in US figure skating for generations to come.

Marshall University football team

In November 1970, a chartered Southern Airways plane crashed while trying to land in West Virginia.

The crash killed all 75 people on board, including the Marshall University football team and its coaching staff.

In 2006, a film called We Are Marshall depicted how the team rebuilt itself following the tragedy which shocked the US.

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