Wednesday 23 November 2022 12:14 AM WBTV meteorologist and pilot killed in horror North Carolina TV helicopter crash trends now
Two employees at WBTV in Charlotte, North Carolina, were killed Tuesday afternoon in a horrific helicopter crash.
The local news station confirmed the deaths of meteorologist Jason Myers and pilot Chip Tayag were the two victims of a crash along Interstate 77.
In a statement posted to their website Tuesday, the station said they are 'working to comfort their families' during this time.
'The WBTV family is grieving a terrible loss. Our news helicopter Sky3 crashed mid-day Tuesday with two of our colleagues on board,' the statement read.
Chip Tayag and Jason Myers were identified as the victims killed in the helicopter crash Tuesday afternoon in Charlotte, North Carolina
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'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,' the station said Tuesday.
During a news conference after the crash, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Chief Johnny Jennings called Tayag a hero and said that his 'diversionary moves' saved countless lives.
'It seems the pilot that was operating the aircraft made some diversionary moves to avoid hitting traffic. Fortunately, there was no vehicles involved in it.
'And I think that's as we move forward. To me, it looks like a heroic incident where the pilot tried to avoid injuring anyone else and putting anyone else in danger.
And if that is truly the case, then that pilot is a hero to hit my eyes,' Jennings said.
According to WBTV, Tayag had flown for the station more than 2,000 hours in his five years and had more than 3,700 flights in his log.
The FAA said in a statement said they are investigating the crash, which happened around 12.20pm.
The National Transportation Safety Board will also assist in the investigation into what lead to the crash and the WBTV employees' deaths.
In the statement published by the local news station, Tayag had been a pilot for more than 20 years and 'was known in the company for being one of the best pilots and was constantly studying to make himself a better pilot.'
'We always said that if we could duplicate Chip and his piloting skills, his organization abilities, and attention to detail, our company would be better off.
'He always cared about the job he was doing and strived to make all his passengers comfortable while covering the news in Charlotte,' Total Traffic and Weather Network said after his death.
Chip Tayag and his wife, who he just celebrated his three year anniversary with in August
Myers was a North Carolina native and even 'watched WBTV as a child,' the station said in their statement Tuesday.
The meteorologist leaves behind a wife, Jillian, and four children.
Jilian and Jason were childhood friends and sweethearts.
Myers had previously worked in Raleigh, Texas, and Virginia. He was a graduate of North Carolina State University.
Fighting back tears during a broadcast, anchors Jamie Boll and Molly Grantham mourned their colleagues while providing updates as
