What happened to Greg Biffle's Cessna 550 shortly after it took off from NC's Statesville airport?

Several deaths have been confirmed after a small plane that took off from Statesville Regional Airport Tuesday morning crashed while it was on its way back to the airport for possibly an emergency landing.

The plane was owned by former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle. A pall of gloom descended as the possibility of Biffle and his family members being on board during the crash was not ruled out in the initial reports. Statesville Regional Airport confirmed an "aircraft incident" at approximately 10:15 a.m. In a Facebook post, the airport said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is en route and will lead the crash investigation.

Statesville officials confirmed the airport will be closed until further notice while investigators work to determine the cause of the crash and clear the scene. The plane was en route to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport but it was going back to Statesville Airport before it crashed."We are deeply saddened by the news of the Cessna C550 aircraft crash at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina and enroute to SRQ this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with those on board and with their families and loved ones during this difficult time. Our thoughts also go out to the first responders who we know are diligently working to assist all those involved," Paul L Hoback Jr, CEO of Sarasota Bradenton International Airport said.

The flight path that Cessna 550 took before crash

Weather Impact Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich shared an animation of the flight path. The plane immediately turned around and tried to land. It crashed while attempting to land back at the airport.