Two WBTV employees killed in I-77 helicopter crash in Charlotte

The station reported Tuesday afternoon that meteorologist Jason Myers and pilot Chip Tayag died in the crash along I-77 near Tyvola Road.

"The WBTV family is grieving a terrible loss," the station said in a statement. "Our news helicopter Sky3 crashed mid-day Tuesday with two of our colleagues on board.

"Meteorologist Jason Myers and pilot Chip Tayag lost their lives. 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.”

Myers earned his bachelor of science in meteorology with a communication concentration from North Carolina State University, according to an obituary posted to WBTV's website. After graduating, Jason worked as a weather observer at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, giving weather updates to the control tower.

Myers' career took him to Raleigh, Texas and Virginia before coming home to the Charlotte area. He grew up in Union and Catawba counties. Myers was a father of four.

Tayag recently celebrated his three-year wedding anniversary in August, according to posts on his Instagram page.

Jennings said witnesses saw the pilot maneuvering to avoid hitting cars on the highway – and confirmed no other vehicles were involved, as the pilot crashed alongside the road in the grass.

“It seems the pilot made some diversionary moves to avoid hitting traffic. Fortunately, there were no vehicles involved in it. As we move forward, to me it looks like a heroic incident where the pilot tried to avoid injuring anyone else," he said. "So, that is certainly a heroic act, and it probably saved some lives."

Jennings said there was no indication of any type of fire in the crash.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the helicopter was a Robinson R44 and was carrying two people. It crashed around 12:20 p.m. Tuesday.

Thee FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the cause of the crash and circumstances surrounding it. The National Transportation Safety Board will be in charge of the investigation and provide additional updates. 

 After investigators verify the aircraft registration number at the scene, the FAA will release it.

Jennings asked for prayers for the families involved.

“Going into the holiday season, when we’re supposed to be spending time with our loved ones. Tragically, there are two people involved this crash who will not be going home and spending the holidays with their families. It’s a huge loss. A tragic loss. Something you can’t put into words," said Jennings.

However, he emphasized that the pilot's final act may have saved other people.

“If that is truly the case, that pilot is a hero in my eyes – to make sure the safety and security of those driving on the road were not in jeopardy,” Jennings said.

Gov. Roy Cooper shared his condolences on Twitter, writing, "This is a terrible tragedy for the WBTV family and we are praying for them and all of those in the media who work so hard to keep the public informed."

Normally a time of holiday celebration, many people who gathered Tuesday night at a Christmas tree lighting at Bank of America Stadium paused to remember the two lives lost in the crash with a moment of silence.

Monica Jolly was in traffic near the crash when she heard the news.

"I felt so bad for them [and] for their families," Jolly said. "In that moment, I said a little prayer."