Local

NTSB releases preliminary report of deadly news helicopter crash

CHARLOTTE — The National Transportation Safety Board released its preliminary report Tuesday in the helicopter crash in Charlotte on Nov. 22 that killed two WBTV employees, meteorologist Jason Myers and pilot Chip Tayag.

The Robinson R44 was in flight to train the a staff meteorologist over a simulated news scene.

The helicopter left the WBTV heliport at 11:50 a.m. and flew south for about five minutes over Interstate 77.

Tayag performed three 360-degree turns and on the last one, the helicopter “entered a rapid descent” and crashed in the grass next to the interstate, the NTSB report stated.

Tayag was in contact with the air traffic controller at Charlotte Douglas International Airport at that time.

There were no calls of distress, the NTSB said.

The NTSB took the wreckage to examine further.

VIDEO: Witnesses recount moments after helicopter crash