NTSB prelim focuses on electrical/instrument issues in Biffle crash

The NTSB released a preliminary report on the Statesville, NC plane crash that killed Greg Biffle and six others, indicating the flight experienced electrical and flight-instrument anomalies that likely degraded the pilot’s situational awareness. The aircraft returned toward the airport and executed an unstabilized approach, first impacting the runway lighting short of the runway. No evidence of engine or structural failure was found; both engines were producing power at impact and major flight controls were accounted for. Key issues cited include a malfunctioning left-side altitude indicator, possible additional inoperative left-side instruments, the Garmin GTN-750 unit stopping to record airspeed and heading, and degraded cockpit voice recorder audio consistent with an electrical power issue. The report is preliminary and may change; a final determination on probable cause is typically issued 12–24 months after an accident.