In the aftermath of a tragic helicopter crash in 2022 that claimed the lives of a pilot and a North Carolina television station’s meteorologist, investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have uncovered critical findings regarding the cause of the accident.
Released on Thursday, the NTSB’s final report detailed the discovery of disconnected and missing hardware aboard the ill-fated Robinson R44 helicopter. The investigation concluded that inadequate inspections by both the pilot and maintenance personnel led to the eventual loosening of crucial hardware, resulting in the loss of control over the helicopter.
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The fatal flight, which took the lives of WBTV meteorologist Jason Myers and pilot Chip Tayag, was intended to provide video training for Myers over a simulated news scene. However, approximately five minutes into the flight, the helicopter initiated a series of 360-degree turns over Interstate 77. Tragically, during the third turn, it entered a steep descent, ultimately crashing in a grassy area adjacent to the highway.
Examination of the flight controls revealed critical hardware that should have been connected to a part on the main rotor was found disconnected, with the connecting hardware missing. Further analysis suggested that the hardware had backed out during the flight, indicating it may have been loose for multiple flights leading up to the crash.
Additionally, investigators found that one piece of hardware had been installed backwards during an overhaul approximately three years prior to the accident. Despite requirements for inspection during preflight and routine maintenance, records indicated that a Robinson Helicopter Company service letter recommending the replacement of certain nuts due to corrosion and cracking issues had not been followed.
Following the tragedy, in March 2023, Jillian Ann Myers, the wife of Jason Myers, filed a lawsuit against maintenance facility Wilson Air Center-North Carolina, the Total Traffic and Weather Network, and iHeartMedia, citing negligence and alleging that the helicopter had been running on contaminated fuel. The lawsuit also claimed inadequate flight inspections and emergency procedures by the pilot.
Aviation attorney Gary C. Robb, representing the Myers family, described the maintenance errors as “egregious” and emphasized the need for increased safety measures in the industry.
As of now, WBTV, iHeartMedia, and Wilson Air Center-North Carolina have not responded to requests for comment on the NTSB report.
