Investigators on Tuesday released what they describe as the first close-up video footage capturing a Cessna Citation 550 coming down already engulfed in flames, a development that is reshaping how authorities understand the final moments of the flight carrying Greg Biffle, his wife, and their two children.
The footage—recorded from a ground-side camera near the runway—shows the aircraft touching down with visible fire along the fuselage, followed by a rapid loss of control. Officials say the video provides unprecedented clarity on the sequence and intensity of events in the seconds before impact.
A Heartbreaking and Unusual Scene
What investigators found afterward has proven even more confounding.
According to sources briefed on the recovery, the bodies of the family members were not located together, a highly unusual circumstance in crashes of this type. Authorities emphasized that details are being shared cautiously out of respect for the family, but confirmed that Greg Biffle was discovered in a seat location investigators say “defies expectations” based on standard cockpit and cabin layouts.
“The seating positions do not align with what we would normally see,” an investigative source said. “That discrepancy is now central to the case.”
Why the Video Matters
The close-up footage appears to show the aircraft already compromised before touchdown, suggesting the emergency unfolded earlier than previously believed. Investigators are now synchronizing the video with flight data, cockpit audio, and medical timelines to determine:
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When the fire likely began
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Whether any in-flight movement occurred inside the cabin
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How control inputs changed during the final approach
Aviation safety experts note that pre-landing fire combined with atypical occupant locations can point to complex, cascading failures—or extraordinary circumstances inside the aircraft.
Investigation Widens
Authorities said the findings have prompted a comprehensive reexamination of:
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Cabin restraints and seating mechanisms
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Emergency procedures and possible attempts to respond mid-flight
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The aircraft’s systems history and maintenance records
Family representatives declined to comment on the specifics but said they are cooperating fully.
What Comes Next
Officials cautioned that the investigation remains active and that no single piece of evidence tells the full story. Still, they acknowledged the newly released footage—and the unexpected positions of the victims—have introduced urgent questions that demand answers.
Further updates are expected as investigators complete their synchronized review of video, forensic evidence, and flight data.
