Meteorologist, pilot killed when Sky3 helicopter crashes on I-77

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police said Tuesday that two people were killed when a news helicopter crashed on Interstate 77 south of uptown.

WBTV News confirmed that Sky3, its helicopter, was the aircraft in the crash, which happened near the Nations Ford Road exit. The pilot, Chip Tayag, and meteorologist Jason Myers were killed.

“The WBTV family is grieving a terrible loss," WBTV said in a statement. "We are working to comfort their families in this difficult time. We appreciate the outpouring of support for our staff and your continued prayers for their families.”

Air crash investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration were dispatched to the scene and worked overnight into Wednesday, gathering evidence. Shortly after 11 a.m. Wednesday, the N.C. Department of Transportation said all lanes had reopened on I-77 South and traffic flow was returning to normal.

Jennings said no cars were involved in the crash, thought parts of I-77 South were shut down for almost 24 hours. From what witnesses told CMPD, Jennings said it appeared the pilot tried to avoid hitting vehicles.

"It seems the pilot that was operating the aircraft made some diversionary moves to avoid traffic," said Jennings. "It looks like a heroic incident where the pilot tried to avoid injuring anyone else. If that is truly the case, that pilot is a hero in my eyes."

Steve Harrison

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WFAE

Pictures posted on Twitter showed a blue "3" that appeared to be WBTV's logo on the crashed helicopter's crumpled skin.

The flight-tracking company Flight Aware shows a helicopter took off from the WBTV television station on West Morehead Street at 11:50 a.m. and then ended its journey about five minutes later near I-77 and Nations Ford Road.

Flight Aware shows the helicopter made a loop over the interstate before its flight ended.

The same helicopter — a Robinson R44 — had already flown once this morning and had made three flights on Monday.

"We're looking at going into the holiday season where we're supposed to be spending time with our loved ones," said Jennings. "And tragically, there are two people involved in this crash that will not be going home, and will not be spending the holidays with their families. So it's a huge loss, tragic loss."

A father of 4 and a veteran pilot

Myers grew up outside of Charlotte. He was born in Salisbury, and lived in Union and Catawba counties as a child.

"Jason first developed his interest in weather, while working on a 3rd grade science project; which included taking a weather class at Discovery Place in Charlotte, and making a homemade weather station with the help of his Mom," his biography on WBTV says.

After graduating from N.C. State University, Myers worked at Raleigh-Durham International Airport before working as a meteorologist at TV stations in Texas, Virginia and Kentucky. He returned to North Carolina in 2019 to work at WBTV alongside meteorologists he grew up watching, such as Al Conklin.

Myers and his wife have four children, according to WBTV.

Tayag had worked at WBTV since 2017. An experienced pilot, he had been flying for more than 20 years. According to his LinkedIn profile, he had previously worked as a helicopter tour pilot in Myrtle Beach, as well as in Maryland.

He had also previously worked as a pilot for a commercial photography business and for utility companies. Before becoming a pilot, he was an IT professional.

"He clocked in over 3,700 flight hours in Sky3. He always made all of us feel safe," said WBTV anchor Molly Grantham, in a tribute the station posted.

WFAE reporter Sarah Delia contributed.