Charlotte helicopter crash victims were WBTV meteorologist, “heroic” pilot

• Meteorologist Jason Myers and pilot Chip Tayag were pronounced dead on the scene, soon after the 12:20pm wreck, our news partners WBTV confirmed Tuesday afternoon.
• They were the only two on board.

Over three surreal hours, WBTV reporters and anchors stayed on air, providing composed news and traffic updates, from the studio and on the scene.

• Around 1:30pm Molly Grantham and Jamie Boll, two of the station’s top anchors, took over the live reporting. They spoke of giving others grace today, expressed gratitude for first responders and checked in with journalists on the ground. They held off on annoucing their colleagues’ deaths out of respect for the families.
• “We’ve been waiting for answers as well,” Molly Grantham said around 3pm. “We are patiently waiting and we appreciate you waiting with us to understand what’s going on right now.”

A few minutes later, WBTV flashed Tayag’s and Myers’ photos on the screen and shared the news. “We are devastated,” Boll said.

• “Those smiles you see right there on your screen – those are those two people,” Boll said.

Myers was from the region, having grown up in Union and Catawba counties and graduating from high school in Davidson County, according to his WBTV biography. He joined WBTV in 2019, his LinkedIn shows. He leaves behind a wife and four children.

• “Working for WBTV comes full circle for Jason, who grew up watching WBTV as a kid,” his staff page states.

Tayag was a news pilot at WBTV for multiple years and had a record of safe flying experience, according to his LinkedIn. Witnesses said they saw the WBTV helicopter veer away from I-77 and land in the grass, dodging the sea of cars on the interstate. CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings commended Tayag’s heroic actions.

• “That pilot is a hero in my eyes to make sure that the safety and security of those that were driving on the road was not in jeopardy,” Jennings said during a 2pm press briefing.

Details: The wreck occurred alongside the southbound lanes of I-77 near Nations Ford Road, about five miles north of the South Carolina line, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police confirmed.

• The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash.

The latest: CMPD has reopened two lanes on I-77 south as of 4:25pm. The right lane and entrance ramp from Tyvola Road will remain closed until 6am on Wednesday.

What they’re saying: “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,” chief Jennings said. “It’s a huge loss. A tragic loss. It’s just something that you can’t put into words.”

• “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,” Gov. Roy Cooper tweeted.
• WBTV shared the following statement: “The WBTV family is grieving a terrible loss. 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.”

Editor’s note: This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.