Media helicopter crashes along I-77 in south Charlotte

[RaleighGuy]

Media helicopter crashes along I-77 in south Charlotte
Crews were first called to a reported aircraft crash at I-77 near Tyvola Road, WCNC reported.

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

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

www.wral.com

 

[drayd48]

Update - 2 people have passed away

Only 3 media helicopters in Charlotte. WSOCTV 9 is currently flying above it now, WCNC 36 has one, and WBTV 9 has one.

N7094J Flight Tracking and History - FlightAware

Track N7094J flight from Wbtv to Charlotte, NC

flightaware.com

That link is WBTV's helicopter's flight path, right at the time of the crash. I believe its WBTV Sky 3

 

[N4VX]

Note the rapid rate of descent on the last ADSB reception.

 

[RaleighGuy]

The survivor from the crash, his Facebook post before and after the crash.

WBTV's Cam Man Ron Lee

WBTV's Cam Man Ron Lee. 5,418 likes · 4 talking about this. News personality

www.facebook.com

 

[Tobydog]

Unfortunately it has been confirmed from sources the chopper was a Robert's R44 belonging to WBTV, known as Sky 3. Sad day for the Channel 3 family

 

[RaleighGuy]

A bit of confusing information when the FAA released the following statement:

A Robinson R44 helicopter crashed near I-77 South and Nations Ford Road in Charlotte, N.C., around 12:20 local time today. Two people were on board. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide additional updates. Neither agency identifies people involved in aircraft accidents.

Media reports are two dead and one is saying he survived on his Facebook account, posted above, the numbers don't match up.

I-77 South reopens after deadly helicopter crash

The crash happened in the area of I-77 near the Nations Ford Road exit.

www.wbtv.com

Meanwhile, passengers identified in crash.

 

[hamstang]

Despite the timing of his Facebook post, Ron Lee was not aboard the crashed helicopter.