The Cessna C550 jet had been involved in accidents or serious incidents in recent years, including: A private jet linked to a NASCAR driver crashed Thursday, Dec. 18, while landing at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina, The Charlotte Observer reported, citing federal authorities and airport officials.

Former racecar driver Greg Biffle and members of his family were among seven people who died in a plane crash Thursday in North Carolina, state police said.

He joins a somber roll of athletes who died in plane or helicopter crashes, including fellow race car drivers Alan Kulwicki and Davey Allison, who died in separate accidents 1993.