2 killed in news station helicopter crash near Interstate 77 in south Charlotte
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Two people died in a helicopter crash in Charlotte on Tuesday around noon.
ABC Affiliate WSOC reports that the crash happened on I-77 North between Tyvola Road and Nations Ford Road.
The two people killed in the crash were employees at WBTV, a Charlotte news station. They were identified as meteorologist Jason Myers and helicopter pilot Chip Tayag.
"The WBTV family is grieving a terrible loss. Our news helicopter Sky3 crashed mid-day Tuesday with two of our colleagues on board," WBTV's statement read.
Charlotte Metropolitan Police Department Chief Johnny Jennings said the helicopter pilot appears to have done everything in his power to avoid hitting drivers on the interstate.
Jennings said Tayag, who had more than 20 years of piloting experience, is a hero in his eyes.
Myers graduated from North Carolina State University and worked as a weather observer at Raleigh-Durham International Airport before starting his broadcast meteorology career, according to his WBTV bio.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the helicopter was a Robinson R44. FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate what caused the aircraft to crash.
